The latest episode of Saturday Night Live took a humorous turn as it featured a cold open that combined a heartfelt Mother’s Day tribute with the unmistakable antics of former President Donald Trump. Hosted by Walton Goggins and featuring musical guest Arcade Fire, the show aired its penultimate episode of its 50th season on May 10, 2025.
The cold open began with cast members Kenan Thompson, Bowen Yang, and Marcello Hernandez delivering a sweet tribute to their mothers, a tradition that has become a staple of the show around Mother’s Day. Just as the cast started to share their heartfelt messages, the mood shifted dramatically with the arrival of James Austin Johnson, impersonating Trump, who interrupted the tribute with his signature brashness.
“Hello! It’s me again, invading all aspects of your life,” Johnson’s Trump declared, effectively taking over the segment. He proceeded to comment on various topics, including the recent appointment of a new pope, Robert Prevost, who took the name Leo XIV. “We have an American pope, Chicago-style, no ketchup!” Trump quipped, referencing the pope's Chicago roots.
In a surprising twist, Trump introduced Jeanine Pirro, a former Fox News host, as the new interim U.S. attorney for Washington D.C. Cecily Strong, who had left the cast in 2022, reprised her role as Pirro, bringing back her iconic character with gusto. “Jeanine will be the newest addition to my incredible team in my administration,” Johnson’s Trump announced, to which Strong’s Pirro responded, “And what a team, Mr. President. I’m so proud to be part of this group full of Russian assets, booze hounds, and people famous for the little baby animals they’ve killed.”
Strong’s portrayal of Pirro was marked by her signature humor, as she humorously referred to herself as “the Whoopi” when Trump made a comparison between her and the co-host of The View. “I’m the Whoopi!” she exclaimed, to which Trump responded, “You’re very Whoopi, but you’re also very tough.”
In a recurring gag from her previous appearances, Strong’s Pirro brought a bottle of wine, which she humorously referred to as a “cozy for my Merlot-zy.” The sketch took a comedic turn when Colin Jost appeared as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Within moments of his arrival, Strong’s Pirro sprayed wine in his face, a nod to their previous interactions on the show.
“I love hiring people from Fox News,” Johnson’s Trump remarked, followed by a joke about Hegseth’s competence. “Just look at Pete Hegseth, not one mistake!” he said, prompting laughter from the audience. Strong’s Pirro then joked about her friendship with Hegseth, calling him her “old drinking buddy.”
The banter continued as Jost’s Hegseth informed Strong’s Pirro about a U.S. F-18 fighter plane that had fallen off an aircraft carrier and into the ocean. This prompted another comedic spit-take from Strong, who playfully doused Jost with wine once more. The sketch concluded with Johnson’s Trump asking Hegseth if he had been drinking again, to which Jost humorously denied, despite the evidence of wine all over him.
Fans of the show were thrilled to see Strong return, with many taking to social media to express their delight. One viewer exclaimed, “I gasped loudly when Cecily Strong walked out! It’s so good to see her, especially doing Jeanine Pirro again.” Another added, “That SNL cold open…I haven’t cry/laughed like that in a loooooooong time.”
The episode also featured Goggins addressing the media frenzy surrounding his newfound sex symbol status, which he humorously acknowledged in his monologue. “It did, until I Googled myself and read some of the headlines,” he said, poking fun at the attention he has received since his role in The White Lotus.
As the 50th season of Saturday Night Live approaches its conclusion, the anticipation builds for the final episode, set to air on May 17, 2025, featuring Scarlett Johansson as host and Bad Bunny as the musical guest. This season has seen a range of memorable moments, with political satire and heartfelt tributes intertwining in a way that has resonated with audiences.
In a time when political commentary is more relevant than ever, SNL continues to provide a platform for humor and reflection, allowing viewers to engage with current events through laughter. The combination of celebrity impressions and topical humor keeps the show fresh and engaging, a testament to its enduring legacy in American television.
