SNL cold open criticised as tone deaf amid Minneapolis ICE violence

Viewers criticise SNL’s latest cold open, calling it tone deaf amid Minneapolis ICE violence and recent deaths

Saturday Night Live faced criticism from viewers after its January 25 episode, with the show’s cold open labelled “tone deaf” amid ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Minneapolis and following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents.

The episode opened with James Austin Johnson reprising his role as President Donald Trump in a sketch centred on the fictional “Trump Awards”, where the character appeared as host, presenter and winner.

During the segment, Johnson’s Trump declared, “It’s truly an honor to be here hosting the Trumps. After that lady, whose name I already forget, gave me her Nobel Peace Prize, I thought, ‘I need more awards.’”

Later in the sketch, the character added, “And after what all of my little freaks and psychos in ICE have been doing, I need more distractions. Look! Everything’s gold and shiny.”

Following the broadcast, criticism emerged on Reddit, where viewers accused the NBC sketch show of failing to acknowledge the seriousness of recent events in Minnesota. Some also took issue with host Teyana Taylor’s monologue, which did not reference the deaths of Pretti or Renee Nicole Good.

One Reddit user wrote, “I get that SNL has many moving parts, but after today’s news, I just feel like they made some really bad choices.”

Another viewer, identifying as a Minneapolis resident, said, “Today was one of the saddest days I’ve experienced in a long time… To have basically no mention of the absolute horror of today and the past month is a slap in the face.”

Additional comments described the episode as “out of touch” and criticised the programme’s handling of current political events, with one long-time viewer stating that it was making them consider “quitting the show”.

Saturday Night Live airs Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC.