The January 24, 2026 episode of Saturday Night Live debuted a cold open sketch titled ‘The Trumps,’ a fictional awards show where Mike Myers returned as Elon Musk to win a lifetime achievement award for comedy, parodying Donald Trump’s penchant for accolades.
The sketch, which aired during the show’s 51st season, featured James Austin Johnson reprising his role as Donald Trump hosting the inaugural ‘Trumps’ awards. Trump opened the ceremony by expressing his desire for more awards after recently receiving a Nobel Prize, and he highlighted the event as a distraction from ongoing controversies involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This set the tone for a night of self-aggrandizement and political satire.
Throughout the awards, Trump presented various categories, including best picture and best kiss. In a self-referential twist, Trump won the best picture award for a photo of himself, delivering an acceptance speech that mocked his own ego and referenced personal health issues, such as a brain tumor. His comments, like ‘I love me, I really love me,’ underscored the sketch’s critique of narcissism in leadership.
The highlight was the lifetime achievement award for comedy, given to Elon Musk, portrayed by SNL alum Mike Myers in a surprise cameo. Myers’ Musk, vacillating between hyperactive and stoic, accepted the award with the line, ‘I feel so emotionless to be here,’ and quipped about humor tariffs, satirizing Musk’s public persona and business ventures. The performance cleverly lampooned Musk’s erratic behavior and public statements.
Other nominees included Kristi Noem and J.D. Vance for best kiss, both depicted as vying for Trump’s approval. Noem won the award, but Trump humorously snatched it from her, emphasizing the sketch’s critique of sycophancy in politics. The cold open also featured impressions of figures like Stephen Miller and Javier Milei, adding layers to the political satire and broadening its scope.
This episode marked the SNL hosting debut of Teyana Taylor, who had recently been nominated for an Academy Award and won a Golden Globe. In her monologue, Taylor reflected on her hectic week and joked about her children being on their phones during her awards speeches, blending personal anecdotes with comedic relief. Her presence added a celebratory note to the episode.
Mike Myers’ return to SNL after a long absence was a significant moment, as he first impersonated Musk in previous seasons. His performance was praised for capturing Musk’s idiosyncrasies, and the cameo sparked positive reactions on social media, with fans expressing excitement over his reappearance. This nostalgia element enhanced the sketch’s appeal.
The sketch concluded with a faux musical performance by Carrie Underwood and the Village People construction worker, parodying Trump’s 2025 inauguration. This ending tied the awards show theme to real-world events, reinforcing SNL’s role in political commentary through humor and highlighting its ongoing relevance in entertainment.
Overall, the cold open served as a sharp satire of Trump’s award-seeking behavior and the cult of personality surrounding him, while also poking fun at Elon Musk’s public image. It demonstrated SNL’s continued ability to critique contemporary politics and entertainment, setting the stage for future sketches in the season with a blend of humor and insight.
