SNL Cold Open Satirizes Nicki Minaj's Endorsement of Trump
The sketch, aired Oct. 31, mocked the rapper's rally appearance and a staffer's suggestion she become White House press secretary.
By Paula Delgado ·
Nicki Minaj appeared as a character in the Halloween cold open of Saturday Night Live on Oct. 31, where the sketch portrayed her as sacrificing her music career to associate with President Donald Trump. The segment featured cast member Saidah Belo-Osagie playing the rapper and James Austin Johnson playing the president.
The comedy bit followed Minaj's Oct. 25 appearance at a Trump rally in Port Huron, Michigan. During that event, Minaj traveled aboard Air Force One with the president. She also publicly endorsed Republican candidates Mike Rogers and John James, who face opponents in the midterm elections scheduled for Nov. 3.
A central joke in the sketch involved the suggestion that Minaj become the next White House press secretary. The idea was not entirely fictional. A Trump staffer reportedly proposed the hire during the Air Force One trip. Trump later discussed the concept on The Benny Show, describing it as a good idea and saying he would think about it.
In the televised sketch, Johnson's Trump character praised Minaj for attracting attention to his political movement. Belo-Osagie's Minaj responded, "Trump's out here killing it, and by it, I mean my career." The line served as the primary punchline of the segment, highlighting the perceived cost of her political alignment.
The cold open was set in a budget haunted attraction. Grace Reiter and Jeremy Culhane played a couple on a date, while Kenan Thompson acted as their Grim Reaper guide. Tom Hanks joined the cast as David S. Pumpkins, a character he first introduced on the show in 2016. Hanks was accompanied by dancing skeletons played by Mikey Day and former cast member Bobby Moynihan.
Johnson's Trump interrupted the haunted house sequence to criticize the character. He told the audience that Pumpkins keeps popping up to confuse people on the ride. He then compared himself to the character, noting that both appeared in 2016 and are very loud and very orange. Trump subsequently complained about Republican polling numbers ahead of the midterms.
Minaj has not publicly addressed the sketch. She previously stated she is not going anywhere after Trump referred to her as his favorite. Before the political jokes, she established herself as one of the most successful artists in Billboard chart history. In 2018, she became the first woman to log 100 entries on the Billboard Hot 100. She holds the record for the most Hot 100 top 10s among female rappers.
The episode was hosted by Inde Navarrette, making her SNL hosting debut. Gracie Abrams served as the musical guest for her second appearance on the show. Abrams performed following the Oct. 29 release of her new single, Here You Come, There You Go. Her Look at My Life arena tour, supporting her third album Daughter From Hell, begins Dec. 2 in Denver.
