SNL Mocks Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting with Hilarious Cold Open

NEW YORK, NY — The latest episode of “Saturday Night Live” dedicated its cold open to a comedic take on the controversial White House meeting between former President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The sketch aired March 1, 2025, and featured James Austin Johnson as Trump and Mikey Day portraying Zelenskyy.

In the opening scene, Johnson’s Trump humorously welcomed Zelenskyy, commenting on his attire: “Thank you, President Zelenskyy, for dressing like casual ‘Star Trek.’ We love ‘Star Trek’ because there’s no DEI,” he said, making a sarcastic reference to the ensemble’s racial dynamics.

The exchange escalated as Bowen Yang, in the role of Vice President JD Vance, interrupted Zelenskyy before he could respond, insisting, “You didn’t say thank you! You didn’t say anything about us being handsome.” Yang’s playful jab at Zelenskyy set a tone of mock outrage.

The sketch continued as Trump and Vance focused on their perceived disrespect, with Trump critiquing Zelenskyy’s clothing, saying it was “disrespectful” to appear at the White House in a T-shirt and jeans. Johnson quipped, “Who shows up to the White House like a garbage person?”

Mike Myers made a surprise appearance, taking on the role of Elon Musk. Myers’ Musk sarcastically claimed, “I’m the president now,” which drew laughter from the audience. He delved into the absurdities of Musk’s imagined role in government, referencing massive layoffs within the nonofficial Department of Government Efficiency.

“They are saying I’m firing people with no cause. But I do have cause. It’s cause I feel like it,” Myers joked, parodying Musk’s notorious leadership style.

The segment culminated with a reference to the “Epstein Files” release, where Johnson’s Trump claimed, “Yes, America is going to see all the names, from A to S. No T.” This punchline underscored the chaotic atmosphere surrounding the meeting.

This episode marked a significant return for Myers, who had not been a regular cast member since 2015, and showcased the comedic tensions surrounding current political events. “SNL” continues to leverage topical humor to engage audiences, blending satire with real-world happenings.

Tate McRae served as the musical guest for the evening, contributing to the night’s vibrant atmosphere.