James Austin Johnson’s Trump Impression Highlights SNL’s Latest Episode

James Austin Johnson’s portrayal of Donald Trump once again took center stage during a recent episode of “Saturday Night Live,” this time addressing rising gas prices and current events. The sketch, featured in the March 14 episode, saw Johnson as Trump interjecting into a scene depicting a family grappling with the financial strain of a road trip.

Trump’s Commentary on Current Issues

In the sketch, Johnson, as Trump, delivered a monologue referencing campaign promises of lower gas prices and an end to wars. He quipped, “You might remember me from such campaign promises as lower gas prices and no more wars. We’ll have to make promises because a promise is just a lie that hasn’t happened yet,” adding that gas now costs “like a million billion dollars a gallon.”

The impression also included a reference to pop star Harry Styles, the episode’s host, with Trump stating, “Let me put it in a way that the Harry Styles fans in the crowd tonight can understand: The stock market is going in One Direction.”

Referencing Timothée Chalamet and Iran

Johnson’s Trump also alluded to recent comments made by actor Timothée Chalamet regarding opera and ballet. “We will win this war, because Iran is classic and nobody likes them. Iran is like ballet and opera, and we’re Timothée Chalamet,” the sketch featured.

Colin Jost and Pete Hegseth

The cold open also featured Colin Jost as Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who responded to questions about plans for Iran with, “I don’t know.” He also criticized the media, stating, “You babies in the media are completely unpatriotic. They’re using what I do and say to make me look like a fool in there.”

SNL Season Details

“Saturday Night Live’s” 50th season premiered in September 2024, with Jean Smart as host and Jelly Roll as the musical guest. The 51st season began with James Austin Johnson’s return as Donald Trump in the cold open. Johnson joined the show as a featured player in 2021, being promoted to a repertory player in 2023. He is known for his impressions of both Donald Trump and Joe Biden. A previous cold open featuring Johnson as Trump aired on May 3, 2025, focusing on Trump’s first 100 days in office.

Harry Styles hosted and performed as the musical guest for the March 14 episode.