‘SNL’ Cold Open Features Trump Threatening Show With FCC Action

In its latest cold open on October 4, 2025, “Saturday Night Live” leaned into its long-running satirical sparring match with Donald Trump, featuring cast member James Austin Johnson in his role as the former president. During the sketch, Johnson’s Trump issued a pointed threat against the NBC sketch comedy show, suggesting it could face action from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). According to a description of the episode published by Variety, the character warned the show not to "do anything too mean," linking the satirical content to potential regulatory consequences.

slate.com reported, The sketch places a spotlight on the contentious history between Trump and the show, which has relentlessly parodied him for years. This history includes numerous instances where the real Donald Trump has publicly criticized the show and its portrayals of him, particularly Alec Baldwin's previous impression and, more recently, Johnson's highly accurate one.

The premise of the sketch draws from real-world events where Trump has questioned the broadcast licenses of news networks and suggested that federal agencies like the FCC or the Federal Election Commission should investigate media outlets and comedy shows for what he perceives as biased coverage. In 2019, Trump publicly questioned if the FCC should look into shows like "Saturday Night Live," which he called an "advertisement without consequences" for Democrats.

cinemablend.com noted, More recently, in September 2025, Trump suggested that the licenses of broadcast networks should be reviewed over "bad publicity," a sentiment that came shortly after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr hinted at broader scrutiny for the industry. These real-life statements provide a fertile ground for SNL's satire, allowing the show to frame its political commentary within a context of First Amendment rights and the limits of governmental power over free speech. The sketch, therefore, not only aims for laughs but also engages with a serious, ongoing debate about political pressure on the media.

• Background Context and Historical Perspective: The tension between Donald Trump and "Saturday Night Live" is not new. Trump hosted the show in 2004 and again in 2015 while campaigning. However, after his election, his relationship with the show soured.
• He repeatedly attacked the program on social media, calling it "unwatchable," "totally biased," and "not funny." He specifically criticized Alec Baldwin's Emmy-winning portrayal as a "hit job." In 2018, he suggested the show's one-sided coverage should be "tested in courts," and in 2019, he questioned if the FCC or FEC should investigate the program for what he deemed an unfair "advertisement" for his political opponents.
• Key Stakeholders and Their Positions: The primary stakeholders are "Saturday Night Live" (and its network, NBC), which has a vested interest in protecting its First Amendment right to political parody. Donald Trump, as both a political figure and the subject of the satire, has repeatedly voiced his opposition to the show's content.
• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the regulatory body referenced in the sketch. While the President can suggest actions, the FCC is an independent agency whose mandate explicitly prohibits it from censoring broadcast material based on viewpoint.
• Regulatory and Legal Context: The FCC's power to regulate content is limited. It is prohibited by law from censoring broadcast material or interfering with free speech. Its regulations primarily focus on obscene, indecent, and profane content, which are narrowly defined and have specific time-of-day restrictions (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.).
• Political satire and criticism do not fall under these categories. Revoking a broadcast license is an extremely rare and difficult process, typically reserved for severe technical violations or fraud, not for the content of a network's comedy or news coverage.
• Political Implications: The use of a presidential platform to suggest regulatory action against a comedy show raises significant First Amendment concerns. Critics argue that such threats, even if not acted upon, can create a chilling effect, leading to self-censorship among media organizations and entertainers who may fear government reprisal.
• This dynamic turns comedians and satirists into prominent figures in the debate over free speech and the potential for government overreach.
• About the Impressionist: James Austin Johnson, who joined "SNL" in 2021, is widely acclaimed for his uniquely accurate and nuanced portrayal of Donald Trump. Unlike previous impressions that were often broader caricatures, Johnson's version captures the specific cadence, rambling non-sequiturs, and vocal tics of Trump's rally speeches.
• This accuracy has been both praised by critics and noted as a potential reason the sketches sometimes feel less like biting satire and more like a direct reflection, which presents a different challenge for the show's writers.
• Similar Developments: The "SNL" sketch reflects a broader trend of conflict between Trump and the entertainment industry. In September 2025, comments from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr were followed by ABC's temporary suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
• In July 2025, Stephen Colbert's late-night show was canceled by CBS, a decision the network called financial but which came after Colbert was a vocal critic of his parent company's legal settlement with Trump. These events have heightened the focus on the intersection of corporate media, political pressure, and comedy.
• Historical Precedent for Presidential Satire: For decades, presidents have been a prime target for "Saturday Night Live" and other comedy shows. Chevy Chase portrayed Gerald Ford as clumsy, Dan Aykroyd lampooned Jimmy Carter, Dana Carvey famously impersonated George H.W. Bush, and Will Ferrell portrayed George W. Bush as a folksy simpleton.
• While politicians have often been thin-skinned about their portrayals, the use of direct threats of federal investigation in response to satire is a more recent and aggressive development.