SNL Mocks Trump Over Epstein Emails as House Prepares to Vote

NEW YORK, NY — Saturday Night Live (SNL) featured a comedic take on newly released emails concerning the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The emails contained messages involving high-profile figures like U.S. President Donald Trump, who has stated he fell out with Epstein years before allegations surfaced.

The SNL cold open starred James Austin Johnson portraying Trump. In a humorous sketch, Johnson’s Trump suggested he would sell Epstein files for $800 each, showcasing a mocked-up screenshot of one email. ‘It makes a great stocking stuffer,’ he quipped, joking about an email asking whether Russian President Vladimir Putin has ‘the photos’ of Trump with ‘Bubba,’ a nickname often linked to former President Bill Clinton.

This sketch followed the release of thousands of emails from congressional lawmakers earlier in the week, providing insight into Epstein’s connections to prominent individuals, including Trump. Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in August 2019, with repeated investigations concluding there’s no evidence of foul play.

One notable email from March 2018 involved Epstein’s brother, Mark Epstein, asking if Trump’s former chief strategist, Steve Bannon, could inquire about Putin’s potential compromising materials regarding Trump. Meanwhile, Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing regarding Epstein.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the emails, claiming they prove Trump did nothing wrong. The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced plans to investigate Epstein’s alleged ties with Clinton and institutions like JPMorgan following a request from Trump. The unfolding events raise questions about the implications of these emails for both past and current political figures.

As the House of Representatives prepares to vote on a bill next week to compel the DOJ to release all unclassified Epstein materials, the satirical portrayal on SNL highlights ongoing public interest and scrutiny surrounding these revelations.