#cold-open

#cold-open

A Christmas Carol-inspired cold open begins with Donald Trump napping until the ghost of Jeffrey Epstein appears. Epstein, played by Will Ferrell, speaks in a mocking, sinister tone while referencing Trump’s low approval ratings. The sketch shifts from audience laughter to audible reactions as it escalates into darker material. Epstein describes an afterlife that is “really hot” and claims to spend time with figures including Joseph Stalin and John Wayne Gacy.

Trump apologizes for not taking Vance along with him to China, explaining that I didn't want to. After giving Vance the boot, Trump takes a nap (using a gold bar gifted to him by Sweden as a pillow), during which he's visited by the ghost of his good friend Jeffrey Epstein (tonight's host, Will Ferrell). Epstein has been keeping busy in hell playing mahjong with Stalin and John Wayne Gacy, as well as writing for the recent Netflix Roast of Kevin Hart (this dig clearly comes from SNL head writer Michael Che, who took to social media earlier this week to criticize the roast for hiring all-white writers and giving hosting duties to Shane Gillis).