Mayor Zohran Mamdani was skewered in the season 52 premiere of “Saturday Night Live” during a cold open that lampooned his recent meeting with President Trump.
The sketch, set at Gracie Mansion on the Upper East Side, cast comedian Ramy Youssef as the left-leaning mayor filming a TikTok-style “urgent message” for New Yorkers. In the bit, Mamdani urges Gothamites to “shelter in place, y’all” while dancing to upbeat club music, even as a brutal nor’easter bears down on the city.
James Austin Johnson appeared as Trump, crashing the scene at Hizzoner’s residence and noting that both politicians hail from Queens. The “SNL” version of their relationship leaned heavily into the friendly rapport the two displayed at their real-life meeting earlier this week.
“I’ve seen it with numerous different mayors, and I said some great ones and some not so great ones. So hopefully you’re going to be a great one. I’ll be able to say you’re going to be a great one, and you’re off to a start,” Trump said at an actual press conference following their sit-down.
The show doubled down on the chummy dynamic. “I missed my day one,” Johnson’s Trump told Youssef’s Mamdani in the sketch.
Johnson’s Trump went further, calling Hizzoner “Mam-dreamy” and delivering the iconic “Grey’s Anatomy” line, “pick me, choose me, love me.”
The sketch also roped in Trump political aide Natalie Harp, played by cast member Ashley Padilla. She burst in rain-soaked from the storm, mascara streaming down her face, claiming she “ran here from DC weapon style” in case the president needed her.
The parody arrived after Mamdani extended an invitation to Trump for a high-stakes meeting at Gracie Mansion, continuing what observers have called a streak of love fests for the political odd couple. The Democratic mayor, 33, and the Republican president have struck up an unexpectedly cordial relationship since Mamdani took office.
Toward the end of the cold open, the fictional Mamdani tried to shoo Trump away, saying he had to “get back to work.” But Johnson’s Trump refused to leave, insisting he “just love[s] hanging out with you.”
“Only if you give us $21 billion for a housing project in Queens,” Youssef’s Mamdani demanded.
“Are you out of your mind?” Trump shot back.
“What if I follow you back on Instagram,” the mayor suggested.
“It’s a done deal,” Trump replied.
The episode was hosted by Knicks MVP Jalen Brunson, marking the start of the show’s 52nd season.