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‘SNL’ Cold Open: Trump Warns the Cast to Behave—or Else

James Austin Johnson’s Trump interrupts Colin Jost’s Hegseth in SNL’s Season 51 premiere and warns the cast to behave—or face his FCC “attack dog.”
Opened Runtime2 min Written byDocumentaryTube Team
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In the October 4, 2025, Saturday Night Live Season 51 premiere, James Austin Johnson’s Donald Trump interrupts Colin Jost’s Pete Hegseth and warns that SNL had better behave—or face his “attack dog” at the FCC. Mikey Day appears as FCC chair Brendan Carr, turning the threat into a joke about late-night television and intimidation.

What happens in the cold open

Jost begins as Hegseth with an exaggerated address about the military. Johnson’s Trump cuts him off and redirects the supposed danger to freedom and democracy toward late-night TV. The fictional Trump warns, “They better be on their best behavior, otherwise they’ll have to answer to my attack dog at the FCC, Brandon Carr.”

Day enters as Carr and corrects Trump: his name is Brendan, not Brandon. Trump’s indifference to the correction is part of the gag. The entrance is underscored by “Somebody’s Watching Me,” extending the sketch’s joke about surveillance and pressure. Trump later punctuates it with, “Remember: Daddy’s watching!” Both lines are dialogue from Johnson’s portrayal, not statements by the real Donald Trump.

Who appears, and which episode is it?

The cold open aired as part of the Season 51 premiere on October 4, 2025. Peacock’s episode listing identifies it as “Bad Bunny: October 4, 2025,” with Bad Bunny as host and Doja Cat as musical guest. The complete episode is listed at 68 minutes on Peacock; that is the episode runtime, not the length of the cold open. See the Peacock episode listing. Streaming access and terms may change.

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  • Colin Jost plays Pete Hegseth.
  • James Austin Johnson plays Donald Trump.
  • Mikey Day plays Brendan Carr.

TheWrap also noted a joke about Jost’s absence from the Riyadh Comedy Festival.

Why the sketch targets late-night television

The sketch aired after ABC temporarily suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! in September 2025, following comments Kimmel made in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s killing. The program returned later that month. That recent dispute forms the context for SNL’s satire of pressure on late-night TV; it does not establish that the FCC took action against SNL or that the sketch’s imagined threat would be carried out.

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Where to watch

Peacock lists the full October 4 premiere episode. Check the listing for current availability and access requirements. The listing is for the complete episode, not necessarily a standalone cold-open clip.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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