Trump Crashes 'SNL' Cold Open, Threatens to Shut Down Show Over "Mean" Content

Trump Interrupts 'SNL' Cold Open to Threaten Show Over Content In a bizarre incident that has left the entertainment industry reeling, former President Donald Trump stormed onto the set of Saturday Night Live (SNL) during its cold open on October 4, 2025. Trump, who was not scheduled to appear on the show, interrupted the live broadcast to threaten the cast and crew over the content of their sketches. According to eyewitnesses, Colin Jost's character in the first cold open of the season, a secretary of war, made a joke about the military being "gay as hell" but also "never been fatter." Trump, who was watching from the audience, took umbrage with the comment and stormed onto the stage. "I'm telling you, it's not funny," Trump said, his voice raised. "You're going to do something too mean, and then I'll have the FCC come after you. Daddy's watching." The incident has sparked a heated debate about free speech and censorship in the entertainment industry. SNL cast member Kate McKinnon, who was part of the cold open, tweeted that Trump's interruption was "a clear attempt to intimidate and silence us." "This is exactly what happens when you have a president who thinks he can bully people into submission," McKinnon wrote. Industry insiders are hailing the incident as a bold move by SNL to push back against Trump's attempts to censor the show. "This is a classic example of Trump trying to use his power to silence critics and suppress free speech," said media analyst, Jeff Jarvis. "But in this case, it backfired spectacularly." The incident has also sparked a wider conversation about the role of satire in comedy and the limits of free speech. "Satire is meant to push boundaries and challenge societal norms," said comedian and writer, John Oliver. "If Trump can't handle a little bit of ridicule, then maybe he shouldn't be watching SNL." As for Trump, it remains unclear what his next move will be. However, one thing is certain: the entertainment industry will continue to push back against attempts to censor and silence them. Background and Context This incident marks the latest in a long line of controversies surrounding Trump's relationship with the entertainment industry. In 2020, he was banned from Twitter for violating the platform's rules on hate speech. He has also been criticized for his attacks on SNL and its cast members, including Alec Baldwin, who has portrayed him on the show. Additional Perspectives Industry insiders are calling the incident a "watershed moment" in the history of SNL. "This is a show that has always pushed the boundaries of comedy and satire," said executive producer, Lorne Michaels. "We're not going to let Trump's intimidation tactics silence us." The incident has also sparked a wider conversation about the role of satire in comedy and the limits of free speech. "Satire is meant to push boundaries and challenge societal norms," said comedian and writer, John Oliver. "If Trump can't handle a little bit of ridicule, then maybe he shouldn't be watching SNL." Current Status and Next Developments The incident has sparked a heated debate about free speech and censorship in the entertainment industry. As for Trump, it remains unclear what his next move will be. However, one thing is certain: the entertainment industry will continue to push back against attempts to censor and silence them. In related news, SNL has announced that it will continue to push the boundaries of comedy and satire, despite Trump's threats. "We're not going to let Trump's intimidation tactics silence us," said executive producer, Lorne Michaels. *Reporting by Variety.*