Saturday Night Live’s latest cold open didn’t just poke fun at politics—it dove headfirst into the chaos, lampooning President Donald Trump’s now-infamous reaction to a fainting incident in the Oval Office. The November 8 episode delivered a biting parody that’s already making waves online, blending real-life awkwardness with SNL’s signature absurdity.
The Real-Life Incident That Sparked the Sketch
Earlier this week, a pharmaceutical executive fainted during a White House press conference, sending shockwaves through the room and the media. Cameras captured President Trump standing motionless as others rushed to help, while Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was seen quickly leaving the scene. The surreal footage became instant meme fodder, with critics and late-night hosts zeroing in on Trump’s apparent detachment.
SNL’s Oval Office Cold Open: Trump Unfiltered
SNL wasted no time turning the moment into comedy gold. James Austin Johnson reprised his role as Trump, launching into a rambling, self-absorbed monologue as chaos unfolded behind him. The sketch opened with Trump addressing the nation from the Resolute Desk, surrounded by pharmaceutical executives—including Mikey Day as Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks, Andrew Dismukes as RFK Jr., and Marcello Hernandez as Dr. Mehmet Oz.
When a staffer suddenly collapsed, Johnson’s Trump barely acknowledged the emergency, quipping, “Oh, hi. Didn’t see you there. Someone was dying in my office. I think I’m playing this very normal. Just stand there and stare like a sociopath. Didn’t even pretend like I was going to help, like when someone drops something and you do the fake bend”.
The sketch lampooned Trump’s real-life response, with Johnson’s Trump riffing on everything from food prices and Thanksgiving to Ozempic and even joking about “stealing Christmas.” He also took shots at RFK Jr.’s hasty exit, saying he ran “like someone was trying to give him a vaccine,” and delivered the now-viral line, “Brainworm, take the wheel!”
Satire Meets Reality: Political Jabs and Pop Culture
SNL didn’t stop at the fainting incident. The cold open also skewered recent political developments, including the government shutdown, the suspension of SNAP benefits, and Democratic victories in the midterm elections. Johnson’s Trump dismissed the election results, saying, “The lamestream media called the elections a rebuke of Trump’s policies. Joke’s on them. They’re Stephen Miller’s policies”.
The sketch’s blend of real headlines and over-the-top parody resonated with viewers, sparking conversation on social media about the blurred lines between political theater and comedy.
Why This SNL Moment Matters
SNL’s Oval Office cold open is more than just a viral skit—it’s a sharp commentary on the spectacle of modern politics. By holding up a funhouse mirror to the week’s most talked-about moment, the show highlights how quickly real events can become fodder for satire, and how comedy can shape public perception.
As the 2026 election cycle heats up and political drama continues to unfold, expect SNL to keep delivering the laughs—and the pointed critiques.
Sources
1. 'SNL' Cold Open: Donald Trump Monologues Amid Oval Office ...
2. Celebrity news - IMDb
3. "SNL" recreates Trump reaction to Oval Office fainting - Salon.com
4. Oval Office Press Conference Cold Open - SNL - YouTube
5. Weekend Update: Executive Collapses in Oval Office, Zohran ...
