On the season finale of Saturday Night Live over the weekend, guest host Will Ferrell returned to the show, and in the cold open of the episode, Ferrell debuted a new impression: That of Jeffrey Epstein.
The setup was Donald Trump, taking a nap in the Oval Office following his China trip, being visited in a dream by his late former friend, portrayed by Ferrell. While SNL has done plenty of Epstein jokes over the years, this appears to be the first full-on impression of the late sex trafficker. Ferrell was known during his time as a cast member on the show for doing an impression of then-President George W. Bush, which later evolved into a Broadway one-man show.
“You know me, I keep busy. Mahjong every Wednesday with Stalin and John Wayne Gacy,” Epstein said.
“Donnie, just remember, no matter how many wars you start or how bad you tank the economy as a distraction, people will always associate you with me, and that, my dear close friend, that is a beautiful thing,” Ferrell-as-Epstein said.
Crying….Will Ferrell as Jeffrey Epstein for the SNL cold open tonight 🤣💀 pic.twitter.com/KJWZdkClFI
— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) May 17, 2026
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The six-minute sketch also featured visions of the “future,” including what Kash Patel (Aziz Ansari) , Pete Hegseth (Colin Jost) and Kristi Noem (Ashley Padilla) will be up to six months from now. The bit ended with “Trump” and “Epstein” singing a duet of the Bill Withers song “Just the Two of Us.”
The sketch drew some strong reactions online.
Ok this is pretty awesome https://t.co/infgZ1CG9z
— George Conway ⚖️🇺🇸 (@gtconway3d) May 17, 2026
This #SNL opening was the best one of the season and the best one they’ve done in a long time. 😂😂😂
THIS is the kind of comedy they need to be writing! Edgy and fucking ballsy with no fear of how Trump and his minions are gonna react to it. Because fuck ‘em. This was funny AF. https://t.co/0aYYXiu8yO
— John Rocha (@TheRochaSays) May 17, 2026
Man, Will Ferrell as Jeffrey Epstein really looks like a Harrison Ford. https://t.co/Ge5jpTXaUr
— Zach Vasquez (@zach_vasquez) May 17, 2026
Today would be a great day to #ReleaseTheEpsteinFiles https://t.co/78dg77I2EE
— The Addled Mind🤦🏼♂️ (@theAddledMind) May 17, 2026
Photo courtesy of an X screenshot.
