Ghost of Jeffrey Epstein visits Trump in the SNL season finale cold open

Comparison summary

AI-assisted · Cerebras / Llama · May 18, 2026, 4:09 AM · inspect sources below rather than trusting this alone

In the Season 51 finale of "Saturday Night Live," Will Ferrell portrayed the Ghost of Jeffrey Epstein, who visited Donald Trump during the show's cold open. The episode featured Paul McCartney as the musical guest. This event was covered by multiple media outlets, each providing their own take on the sketch.

The Hollywood Reporter emphasized the comedic aspect of the reunion, framing it as a notable moment in the show's history, while also highlighting Paul McCartney's performance. In contrast, both Consequence and Mashable focused more on the interaction between Trump and Epstein, providing a straightforward account of the sketch without additional commentary on its significance. The Hollywood Reporter’s framing suggests a more celebratory tone, whereas the other two outlets maintained a more neutral presentation.

No outlet provided context regarding public reactions to the sketch or its implications for political discourse, which could have offered a deeper understanding of audience reception. This absence may reflect a blind spot in the coverage, particularly for those interested in the cultural impact of political satire.