The cold open wasn't the first time SNL mentioned Epstein, even in cold opens. But it was the first episode since the recent release of new files pertaining to Epstein on Friday, followed by the quick removal of some of them on Saturday.

The last SNL of 2025 & Bowen Yang's last show went hard on Trump & the just released elements of the Epstein files for its cold open

In the cold open for the final "SNL" of 2025, James Austin Johnson's Donald Trump talked about his Hunger Games and the Epstein files.

The POTUS also showed footage of a 'suspected drug plane' and the U.S. military opening fire on Santa's sleigh.

The president (James Austin Johnson) warned of "Arctic immigrants are coming in through our chimneys and stealing our milk and cookies" in the final cold open of 2025.

On SNL, Donald Trump says his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files is linked to his changes to the capital's architecture

“Weekend Update” co-host Colin Jost played Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as if he were headlining a metal show, with walkout music booming and an energy drink in hand. “You got questions for me?” Jost-as-Hegseth rumbled. “Fine. Pretend I’m a random fishing boat and fire away.”