Full Breakdown
"Saturday Night Live" Skewers Trump Administration's Venezuelan Boat Strikes
12/7/2025, 7:47:41 AM
Cold Open Highlights U.S. Military Actions
On December 6, 2025, "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) returned from a three-week hiatus with a cold open that humorously addressed the Trump administration's recent military actions against alleged drug boats in Venezuela. The sketch featured Colin Jost portraying Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who delivered a satirical press conference declaring, "we're now at war with Venezuela." The comedic tone was set as Jost's character, after consuming an energy drink, introduced a fictional operation dubbed "operation kill everybody."
During the press conference, when pressed for an official death toll from the strikes, Jost's Hegseth quipped, "Let's just say if I had a drink for every Venezuelan we've killed, I'd really like that number of drinks." The sketch took a critical turn when a reporter suggested that the administration's military actions were a facade for regime change, to which Hegseth candidly responded, "Of course that's what we're doing!"
The portrayal of President Donald Trump, played by James Austin Johnson, added another layer of satire. Johnson's Trump, depicted as dozing off during the press conference, humorously claimed, "I wasn't sleeping... I'm very much awake." The sketch concluded with Trump falling asleep again, prompting Hegseth to suggest a need for another MRI.
Context of the Episode
This episode marked Melissa McCarthy's sixth time hosting SNL, her first since 2017. The show has been navigating a transitional phase, having lost several cast members over the summer. The current season, which began in October, has featured various hosts including Bad Bunny and Amy Poehler.
Prior to this episode, SNL had aired a sketch that mocked Trump's response to the release of emails from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, further emphasizing the show's focus on political satire.
Upcoming Episodes
Looking ahead, SNL is set to continue its run with two more episodes before the end of 2025. On December 13, actor Josh O'Connor will host, accompanied by musical guest Lily Allen, followed by Ariana Grande returning as host on December 20, with Cher as the musical guest.
Official Statements & Responses
While the sketch itself is a comedic interpretation, it reflects ongoing public discourse regarding U.S. military involvement in Venezuela. The administration has not officially commented on the portrayal, but the sketch's content suggests a critical view of the motivations behind military actions.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of the Trump administration's foreign policy have pointed to the potential for military actions to serve as distractions from domestic issues. The SNL sketch, while humorous, echoes these concerns by framing the military operations as a smokescreen for regime change.
Verbatim Quotes
- “we're now at war with Venezuela,” — Colin Jost as Pete Hegseth
- “Let's just say if I had a drink for every Venezuelan we've killed, I'd really like that number of drinks.” — Colin Jost as Pete Hegseth
- “Of course that's what we're doing!” — Colin Jost as Pete Hegseth
- “I'm very much awake.” — James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump
This episode of SNL serves as a reflection of the current political climate, utilizing humor to critique the administration's military strategies while engaging audiences in a broader conversation about U.S. foreign policy.
