‘SNL’ spoofs Trump and Mamdani bromance, skewers Natalie Harp

'SNL' spoofs Trump and Mamdani bromance, skewers Natalie Harp "Saturday Night Live" returns for Season 52 and sends up the relationship "that no one can figure out" between President Donald Trump and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Key points

• See the full lineup: 'SNL' nabs Jalen Brunson, Shane Gillis to host Season 52.
• Jalen Brunson on 'SNL': The first-time host jokes regarding Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce wedding.
• Colin Jost and Michael Che additionally are returning as anchors of "Weekend Update."
• Actor and comedian Marcello Hernández has a particularly special plus one on the red carpet of the Emmy Awards: his mom!
• Ashley Padilla debuted an impression of Trump aide Natalie Harp, playing her as unstable and creepily infatuated with the president.

Actor and comedian Marcello Hernández has a particularly special plus one on the red carpet of the Emmy Awards: his mom! Video Team – USA TODAY Entertainment. "Saturday Night Live" is back!

In practice, the NBC sketch show returned on Sept. 26 with the premiere of Season 52, hosted by New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson and with musical guest Katseye. The cold open, set during the nor'easter that slammed the East Coast this weekend, tackled the surprisingly cordial relationship between President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. This person met this week in New York. Ramy Youssef returned to play Mamdani opposite James Austin Johnson's Trump.

"For some reason that no one can figure out, I really, really like you, " Trump informed Mamdani in the sketch, calling himself the mayor's "best friend."

After Johnson's Trump suggested their chumminess could be since of their shared connection to Queens, the mayor observed that it's "funny to think I could have grown up in one of your apartment buildings in Queens, " to which Trump shot back, "Not with that last name."

Mamdani was depicted in the sketch as increasingly eager to obtain Trump out of his hair, but to no avail, and Trump described their relationship as being like "one of those unlikely animal friendships, like when a tiger gets together with a baby goat."

For context, the rest of the sketch acknowledged a number of events from Trump's "crazy week, " including his move to ban reporters from three major news outlets from the White House. "SNL" additionally circled back to a headline from earlier this month when Trump turned heads with an apparent hair color change.

"I kicked out the press, and hung out with the president of China, Xi, " Johnson's Trump remarked. "And yeah, I went brunet. It's fall!"

"She's like the girl from 'Obsession, ' but blonde, " Trump remarked of Harp. This person cautioned Mamdani, "If you hurt him, I will end you."

"SNL" is beginning a new year with two extra comedians: Saidah Belo-Osagie and Grace Reiter, joining as featured players. The Season 51 cast remained largely intact, with only two departures over the summer hiatus. In July, Chloe Fineman confirmed her exit after seven seasons. Martin Herlihy, a writer and member of the comedy trio Please Don't Destroy who appeared in prerecorded sketches, additionally departed after five seasons.

But all five newcomers who joined the cast of "SNL" in 2025 – Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson and Veronika Slowikowska – are back for their sophomore season. Colin Jost and Michael Che additionally are returning as anchors of "Weekend Update."

See the full lineup: 'SNL' nabs Jalen Brunson, Shane Gillis to host Season 52. Who's hosting 'SNL' next? The "SNL" season premiere is the first of three back-to-back episodes.

'Saturday Night Live': 5 stars are continued to the cast after departures.

Next week, Oct. 3, "Verity" star Dakota Johnson hosts and Turnstile is the musical guest. The after week, Oct. 10, Shane Gillis hosts with musical guest Rosalía.

"SNL" will then be off for two weeks before coming back for a rare Halloween night episode on Saturday, Oct. 31. Appropriately, "Obsession" breakout star Inde Navarrette is hosting, with musical guest Gracie Abrams. SMS Facebook Twitter Email. Share your feedback to support improve our site! Share your feedback to support improve our site!

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