SNL Takes Aim at Trump's Nobel Envy, Venezuela Military Operation, and Kristi Noem's ICE Response in Latest Episode.
In a scathing critique of President Donald Trump's ego, Saturday Night Live (SNL) mocked his obsession with the Nobel Peace Prize. During the show's first episode of 2026, Colin Jost played an unhinged Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who proclaimed, "The USA is going to F- all the countries around the world." This statement mirrored Trump's real-life antics and drew a stark contrast between the two leaders.
The show's writers also poked fun at Trump's recent visit with Christmas, where he boasted about receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Trump claimed that he got more than he bargained for – his own Nobel Prize – in reference to the bizarre incident where Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump as a gesture of goodwill.
In another segment, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was portrayed by Ashley Padilla, wearing a cowboy hat similar to the one she wore during her visit to Minneapolis. The scene highlighted Noem's cold response to the shooting of a woman by ICE agents on January 7. "Have we been perfect?" Noem asked, before making a bizarre recruitment pitch for ICE.
Colin Jost then took center stage as Hegseth, who chugged an energy drink from an oversized mug and boasted about the military operation executed in Venezuela on January 1. He referred to the operation as a "tea-bagging" of the country and threatened Iran with force. The segment left audiences laughing at Trump's absurdity.
As the show came to a close, it paid tribute to Bob Weir, the founding member of the Grateful Dead, who passed away on January 10 at the age of 78. The legendary jam band made two appearances on SNL, first in 1978 and then two years later.
Overall, SNL's latest episode proved that even the most ridiculous statements can be turned into comedy gold with clever writing and over-the-top performances.
In a scathing critique of President Donald Trump's ego, Saturday Night Live (SNL) mocked his obsession with the Nobel Peace Prize. During the show's first episode of 2026, Colin Jost played an unhinged Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who proclaimed, "The USA is going to F- all the countries around the world." This statement mirrored Trump's real-life antics and drew a stark contrast between the two leaders.
The show's writers also poked fun at Trump's recent visit with Christmas, where he boasted about receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Trump claimed that he got more than he bargained for – his own Nobel Prize – in reference to the bizarre incident where Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump as a gesture of goodwill.
In another segment, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was portrayed by Ashley Padilla, wearing a cowboy hat similar to the one she wore during her visit to Minneapolis. The scene highlighted Noem's cold response to the shooting of a woman by ICE agents on January 7. "Have we been perfect?" Noem asked, before making a bizarre recruitment pitch for ICE.
Colin Jost then took center stage as Hegseth, who chugged an energy drink from an oversized mug and boasted about the military operation executed in Venezuela on January 1. He referred to the operation as a "tea-bagging" of the country and threatened Iran with force. The segment left audiences laughing at Trump's absurdity.
As the show came to a close, it paid tribute to Bob Weir, the founding member of the Grateful Dead, who passed away on January 10 at the age of 78. The legendary jam band made two appearances on SNL, first in 1978 and then two years later.
Overall, SNL's latest episode proved that even the most ridiculous statements can be turned into comedy gold with clever writing and over-the-top performances.
. I mean, who needs a Nobel Prize to validate yourself? It's just a bunch of papers and a fancy award. And that Venezuelan thing was straight out of a bad joke 
. But what really got me was the ICE bit – who is Kristi Noem trying to fool with her cowboy hat? 
It's like she's trying to be some kind of law enforcement superhero, but really she's just trying to cover up some major bungling by the Trump administration 
. And that energy drink mug? 
More like an energy drain, am I right?
. I mean, who else tries to sell the Nobel Peace Prize like it's a timeshare? And Kristi Noem's response to that shooting was just wild - I don't think anyone can pull off that level of awkwardness 
... SNL always knows how to poke fun at our leaders in a way that's both funny and satirical 
. but seriously, it's hilarious how trump thinks he can just waltz in with that nobel peace prize and expect everyone to be impressed 
. snl is killing the game this season! 
I'm so done with Trump's ego 
wearing a cowboy hat and trying to recruit ICE agents in Minneapolis? 
that was wild. And don't even get me started on Venezuela 
it's refreshing to see someone laugh at the absurdity of it all instead of getting caught up in the drama. And hey, a tribute to Bob Weir is always a good vibe 
. He's such a legendary musician and it's awesome that SNL gave him some love. I've got so much respect for jam bands and their dedication to good vibes only.
. It's amazing what can be done with clever writing and over-the-top performances. SNL is really making me laugh this year 
I'm not sure why Trump is still obsessed with getting a Nobel Prize. It's like he thinks it's going to magically solve all his problems or something 
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. And the energy drink-fueled rant from Colin Jost as Pete Hegseth was pretty spot on 
love how they roasted kristi noem too 
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? Like, Bob Weir's tribute was so sweet 
. On the other hand, it's always good to see comedians like Colin Jost poking fun at Trump's antics 
It's like she's trying out for a role in a bad action movie or something. The energy drink mug scene had me DYING too! 
i mean who else can make a Nobel Peace Prize joke like that? and kristi noem's ice recruitment pitch was straight fire 
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