Saturday Night Live is back and it’s not holding back.
NBC’s iconic sketch show returned this weekend with the Season 51 premiere, opening with a cold open that took direct aim at Donald Trump’s administration, the FCC, and the chilling effect on late-night comedy.
In the skit, Colin Jost played a serious-faced Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, scolding U.S. military leaders for their public appearances a satirical riff on a real-life speech Hegseth gave earlier in the week.
“This is serious,” Jost declared. “We are facing the greatest threat to freedom and democracy the world has ever known.”
Enter James Austin Johnson, reprising his role as President Trump, who cut off Jost mid-sentence with a now-classic deadpan:
“Late-night TV,” he quipped.
“Daddy’s Watching”: Trump Warns ‘SNL’ to Stay in Line
Johnson’s Trump persona told the audience he’d be watching SNL closely this season to ensure it didn’t “do anything too mean” about him. He also issued a thinly veiled threat referencing FCC commissioner Brendan Carr, whom he hilariously misnamed as “Brandon Carr.”
Mikey Day, dressed as Carr, then danced across the stage to Rockwell’s “Somebody’s Watching Me”, emphasizing the administration’s tight grip on media criticism.
“It’s crazy you’d think I’d care,” Johnson’s Trump deadpanned again, before ending the segment with a chilling warning:
“Remember, daddy’s watching.”
Satire Amid Real-World Tensions for Late-Night Shows
The season premiere aired during a particularly tense moment for late-night television. Earlier this year, Jimmy Kimmel Live! faced temporary suspension after Kimmel made remarks about the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. That action followed direct criticism from Brendan Carr, raising alarm bells about government interference in satirical or critical media.
For many SNL fans, there was concern the show might pull back its political punches under pressure.
But Saturday’s opener made it clear: those fears were unfounded.
Bad Bunny Brings Star Power and Self-Awareness
The episode was hosted by global music star Bad Bunny, who appeared more than ready to embrace the spotlight — and the backlash.
“You might not know this,” he said with a smirk, “but I’m doing the Super Bowl halftime show.”
Then he added with dry humor:
“I’m very happy, and I think everyone is happy about it. Even Fox News.”
The joke was a nod to the conservative backlash that followed the announcement he would headline the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show at Levi’s Stadium in California.
SNL Sets the Tone for a Politically Charged Season
If this episode is any indication, SNL is doubling down on political satire, not backing away from it. In a year where free speech, government oversight, and media independence are once again hot-button issues, Saturday Night Live is positioning itself as a show that will not be silenced.
Whether that will earn more threats or a growing audience remains to be seen but one thing’s for sure: Trump may be watching, but SNL is talking.
