SNL Cold Open: Ramy Youssef Plays Mamdani Opposite Trump
Saturday Night Live's season premiere opened with Ramy Youssef as Mayor Zohran Mamdani and James Austin Johnson as President Trump, joking about their meeting and Queens roots.
Saturday Night Live kicked off its new season with a cold open sketch that put a fictional spin on a recent real-world meeting between New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and President Donald Trump.
Ramy Youssef played Mamdani, while cast member James Austin Johnson returned as Trump. In the sketch, Trump's character repeatedly voiced affection for Mamdani, a comedic twist on the political dynamic between the two.
The bit also leaned on local color: a joke noted that both men are from Queens. The sketch further referenced storms hitting the East Coast.
Deadline reported on the sketch's premise and impressions. The season opener leaned on political satire, a staple of the show's cold opens.
Quick answers
Who played Zohran Mamdani on SNL?
Ramy Youssef portrayed New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani in the season-opening cold open sketch.
Who played Donald Trump in the SNL cold open?
James Austin Johnson portrayed President Donald Trump in the sketch.
What did the SNL sketch joke about?
The sketch referenced a recent meeting between Mamdani and Trump, had Trump's character repeatedly expressing fondness for Mamdani, joked that both are from Queens, and referenced East Coast storms.