Saturday Night Live drew unusual approval from MAGA supporters after its latest cold open left President Trump out of the sketch for the first time in several weeks.
James Austin Johnson’s Trump impression has been a regular feature of recent episodes, especially last week’s installment, which centered on the midterm “blue wave.”
This time, however, the show turned its attention to the week’s major tech story: Nvidia co-founder Jensen Huang’s alleged affair with a Chinese spy.
John Mulaney appeared as a CIA official attempting to warn a group of prominent technology executives before any of them could also be manipulated by foreign agents.
The lineup included Ben Marshall as Sam Altman, James Austin Johnson as Peter Thiel, Jeremy Culhane as Elon Musk, Andrew Dismukes as Mark Zuckerberg and Jane Wickline as Dario Amodei.
Mulaney’s character told the group: “America needs you to understand the difference between a woman who genuinely wants to sleep with you and one who is obviously a spy.”
He then brought out former cast member Bowen Yang, who played Huang and introduced himself as Jensen “Hide Your Wife” Huang.
Wearing a leather jacket, Yang’s Huang joked: “Ladies, when you invite Jensen over, you know what’s coming next—the S&P 500. That’s right, I’m into BDSM: Breaking Da Stock Market.”
Saturday Night Live won praise from MAGA viewers after its cold open focused on Nvidia co-founder Jensen Huang, played by former cast member Bowen Yang, instead of Trump
The sketch also featured (L-R) Jeremy Culhane as Elon Musk, Andrew Dismukes as Mark Zuckerberg, Jane Wickline as Dario Amodei, Ben Marshall as Sam Altman, James Austin Johnson as Peter Thiel and John Mulaney as a CIA agent
“Fellas, don’t be like me. Women don’t like men like us. That’s how we ended up becoming men like us,” he added before introducing Saturday night’s episode.
Many viewers welcomed the departure from the show’s recent Trump-centered openings and shared their reactions on X.
“Oh my god, a Trump-free SNL cold open. I’ve been waiting for this day,” one user posted.
Another wrote: “Best cold open this season. We’re done with Trump. We want funny!”
“#SNL, great opening because they finally did one that wasn’t partisan hackery against the president,” a third viewer commented.
A fourth added: “How refreshing not to see Trump in the SNL cold open.”
“The formula for a good SNL episode is simple: let John Mulaney write everything, keep Bowen Yang around and don’t put Trump in the cold open,” another viewer said.
The previous week’s opening had even poked fun at the show’s repeated use of the president. Guest James Talarico, a US senator-elect, asked, “How many of these Trump freezers are they going to do?” Johnson’s Trump then replied, “Infinity!”
ALSO READ: Zendaya Says Tom Holland Supported Her While She Filmed The Odyssey
James Austin Johnson’s Trump impression has featured prominently on Saturday Night Live in recent weeks
The latest cold open also mocked the billionaire technology executives, portraying them as awkward men unable to grasp why beautiful women might show an interest in them
Mulaney displayed a Venn diagram showing “beautiful women” in one circle and “your interests and opinions” in the other, with “spy” at the intersection
The sketch also lampooned the other billionaire tech CEOs, depicting them as socially awkward figures who could not understand that an attractive woman might be interested in them for ulterior reasons.
“You all saw that former Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resigned this week after he was caught having an affair with an alleged Chinese spy. What lesson do you think we should take from this?” Mulaney asked the group.
“Never date a Chinese woman,” Wickline’s Amodei answered. Dismukes’s Zuckerberg responded, “Never date a human woman,” while Johnson’s Thiel said, “Never date anyone, in case they become the Antichrist.”
Mulaney later told them: “Never in the history of our species have people as pale and strange as you both survived and been handed all the world’s wealth and power.”
“Now, all of a sudden, someone very beautiful is interested in you,” he continued. “Why do you think that could be?”
“Because I have a great personality and normal human mannerisms,” Marshall’s Altman replied. Dismukes’s Zuckerberg offered another explanation: “Because she feels safe knowing my Meta Glasses are recording her constantly.”
“She’s using me,” Wickline’s Amodei began. “Ah, yes,” Mulaney replied. “For my body,” Wickline continued, prompting Mulaney to answer, “No.”
Mulaney then unveiled a Venn diagram with “beautiful women” in one circle and “your interests and opinions” in the other, placing the word “spy” in the overlapping section.
Jensen Huang is pictured with alleged Chinese spy Alice Huang, whom he admitted having an affair with before stepping down from Nvidia
Huang is pictured with his wife, Lori, earlier this year. After leaving Nvidia, he issued an emotional apology to her and their children
Huang stepped down as Nvidia’s CEO last week after acknowledging an affair with Alice Huang, the alleged spy. Reports also said he had an extramarital relationship with Kimberly Powell, a fellow Nvidia executive.
Soon afterward, reports emerged suggesting he may have had a third affair with another Nvidia employee whose identity has not been disclosed. Huang has admitted only to the relationship with Alice, who is not related to him.
Both of Huang’s children work at Nvidia. After departing the technology company on Thursday, he issued a remorseful apology to his wife, Lori, and the rest of his family.
“I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did,” he said.
“To my wife and family: I love you. I know an apology cannot undo what I have done. I hope our family can heal and that, with time, I can earn your trust again.”
