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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →In a fictional Saturday Night Live debate cold open, James Austin Johnson’s Donald Trump barges into a discussion of New York City’s problems and declares, “It’s me!” The sketch, performed on the November 1, 2025 episode, turned the candidates’ mayoral debate into a joke about Trump’s insistence on dominating the political story—three days before the November 4 election. Rolling Stone and The Daily Beast both described the scene as comedy, not a real debate.
What happens in the cold open
Kenan Thompson plays the moderator of the fictional debate. He asks why anyone would want what he calls “the worst job in the world,” then turns to the candidates’ views on the biggest problem a New York City mayor would face.
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Before they can answer, Johnson’s Trump character interrupts: “It’s me!” That interruption is the sketch’s central joke: instead of debating the city’s challenges, Trump makes himself the answer to the question. The performed line belongs to Johnson’s fictional character, not to the real Trump. Rolling Stone’s recap and The Daily Beast’s account describe the same premise.
Who plays the candidates and moderator?
| Performer | Role in the sketch |
|---|---|
| James Austin Johnson | Donald Trump |
| Miles Teller | Andrew Cuomo; Teller hosted the episode |
| Shane Gillis | Curtis Sliwa |
| Ramy Youssef | Zohran Mamdani |
| Kenan Thompson | Debate moderator |
These are comic portrayals by the performers, not footage or a transcript of the real candidates speaking. The cast and roles are identified in Rolling Stone and The Daily Beast.
How the sketch roasts each candidate
Andrew Cuomo
The sketch makes fun of Cuomo’s return to politics and alludes to sexual-harassment allegations. Teller’s Cuomo character jokes that once someone is elected mayor, “everyone in this city immediately hates you,” adding, “And in that way, I am already one step ahead of the game.” The line is scripted satire delivered by Teller, not a statement by Cuomo.
Curtis Sliwa
Gillis’s Sliwa is teased over his signature red beret. Asked why he wants the job, the character’s blunt answer is: “I need a job.” It is a joke written for the sketch, not a quotation from the real Sliwa.
Rank #2
- 12 DVDs of the best episodes from Seasons 1-5. Plus a 28-Page Collector’s Book telling the story of the show and cast
- 33 episodes with the original groundbreaking, irreverent, hilarious cast. Plus rare footage of the cast, including screen tests and interviews
- All-time classic sketches including “Land Shark,” “Word Association,” “The Killer Bees,” “Super Bass-o-Matic,” “Weekend Update,” and so many more
- Iconic characters including Coneheads, Samurai, Emily Litella, Chevy Chase as President Ford, Shower Mike, The Blues Brothers, Baba Wawa, and more! You'll also recieve special episodes including Chevy Chase's return to SNL with music icon Billy Joel, plus the historic 100th episode!
- Guest Hosts include George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Steve Martin, Candice Bergen, Paul Simon, and more
Zohran Mamdani
Youssef’s Mamdani character is the target of jokes about his age, appearance and policy ambitions. The exchange is part of the cold open’s candidate-by-candidate satire, not a report of Mamdani’s remarks at a real debate.
Trump’s bagel joke and the Phantom of the Opera ending
Johnson’s Trump character riffs on New York food with the line “Big Mac with a hole in the middle.” The scene then turns to Phantom of the Opera imagery. Trump’s character says, “Now I may not live in New York anymore, but I’m always watching, lurking in the shadows,” before invoking “The Music of the Night.” Both the bagel punchline and the ominous theatrical turn are scripted lines spoken by Johnson in character. Rolling Stone and The Daily Beast recount the sequence.
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The cold open appeared on the November 1, 2025 episode, three days before New York City’s November 4, 2025 mayoral election. The timing gave the sketch its topical frame; it does not make the scene a record of what happened at an actual candidate debate. Rolling Stone’s November 2 recap and The Daily Beast place the sketch just before voters went to the polls.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- Format: a scripted comedy sketch, not a news event or debate transcript.
- Purpose: satire about the candidates and Trump’s interruption of the political conversation, not an argument for a candidate.
- Timing: broadcast three days before the 2025 election.
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