‘SNL’ Cold Open: Sarah Sherman as Rachel Maddow on Trump and TikTok

Sarah Sherman opened the first “Saturday Night Live” episode of 2025 by portraying political commentator Rachel Maddow. In the sketch, Maddow hosted an MSNBC panel which included Marcello Hernandez as Ari Melber, Ego Nwodim as Joy Reed, Heidi Gardner as Stephanie Ruhle and Andrew Dismukes as Chris Hayes.

The panelist began discussing the upcoming inauguration, the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, and the TikTok ban.

“Hello and welcome to MSNBC. I’m Rachel Meadow and Dads, you better hide your older bookish lesbian daughters, because yes, I’m back on TV tonight for our special coverage of Inauguration Weekend,” says Sherman.

Before the panelists could even get into the topics of the day. Sherman interrupts them and says, “We have some breaking news. Trump apparently just told reporters he wants to cite Trade Connecticut.”

She goes on to add, “Sorry, Ari, we’re getting news that Trump just told a group of wildfire victims that ‘Arnold Palmer had some of the longest balls in American history.'” You see, that’s what he do to keep us from talking about disaster relief or the effects of climate change.”

James Austin Johnson also appears during the skit as President Donald Trump to chat about the TikTok ban.

“Yes, we love TikTok,” says Johnson. “Don’t we love TikTok? We used to hate it, but then, quite frankly, I got picked on in a lot of ways. So now we love it. We love the Riz word too, don’t we? And they’re trying to take the Riz away from us. It’s so sad. They want them out of you. We’re doing some Costco guys. Boom. And we’re doing Get Ready with Me. It will be fun. And we solve the challenges. Remember the ice bucket. We love ice buckets. In any case, we might have to go on wheels with Marcus Zuckerberg. I like him now. Zuck, he looks better, much cooler in terms of perm and in terms of chain. And of course he will be at my initiation, which indoors will be too many people to fit outside. We are very happy to be inaugurated on Martin Luther King Day. I like to share the day and we are excited about my latest cabinet choice. This is one I know you will be very excited to see. George Santos.”

Bowen Yang joined the sketch as the disgraced former US representative. “I am so honored to join the Trump Cabinet as Secretary of Fact-Checking and Ambassador for Sephora,” he says. “I’m part of the politician to get back to the politician and eventually to the prison pipeline. But even though I’m excited for Monday, it’s been a very hard month for me. I’m so saddened by the passing of Jimmy Carter. He’s had great influence on me since he was my father. Excuse me, I’m late for a date with my boyfriend, Luigi Mangione.”

Comedian Dave Chappelle hosts the first episode of the new year. This is his fourth time hosting the beloved sketch comedy show. Grammy Award-nominated rapper GloRilla makes his ‘SNL’ debut as musical guest.

See the sketch below: