SNL Alum Ferrell Stars in Trump’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ Sendup With James Austin Johnson – Featuring Paul McCartney’s Music

Will Ferrell returned to Saturday Night Live in a bold, satirical cold open for the series’ season 51 finale, delivering a twisted take on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol—this time with the ghost of Jeffrey Epstein haunting former President Donald Trump.

Ferrell, a longtime SNL alum, reprised his role as the show’s resident prankster, appearing alongside James Austin Johnson as Trump in a sketch that leaned heavily into dark humor. The cold open imagined Trump, played by Johnson, dozing off after a trip to China and receiving a supernatural visitation from Epstein’s ghost—depicted by Ferrell in chains and tattered robes.

The sketch’s premise played on the unsettling intersection of Trump’s political career and Epstein’s controversial legacy, with Ferrell’s Epstein delivering a wink-laden line about his death. The segment also featured Paul McCartney as the musical guest, performing with Ferrell during the monologue segment.

Ferrell’s return to SNL continued the show’s tradition of high-stakes satire, blending sharp political commentary with the show’s signature blend of absurdity and cultural commentary. The cold open’s timing—just days after the season finale—positioned it as a closing statement on the season’s themes, including the show’s recurring Trump sketches and its willingness to tackle taboo subjects with provocative humor.

Ferrell’s collaboration with McCartney, a legendary musician who has performed on SNL multiple times, added a musical dimension to the evening. The pairing underscored the show’s ability to merge comedy with iconic pop culture moments, a hallmark of its nearly five-decade run.

SNL has long been a platform for Ferrell, who first joined the cast in 1995 and became one of its most beloved performers. His return, even in a cameo role, highlighted the show’s enduring appeal and its knack for adapting to contemporary cultural conversations—sometimes with humor, sometimes with biting critique.

The sketch’s reception is likely to spark debate, as SNL often does, but it solidified the finale as a memorable send-off for the season. With Ferrell’s signature physical comedy and sharp wit, the cold open served as both a nod to the show’s history and a provocative commentary on its present.

Ferrell’s next appearance on SNL remains unannounced, but his return—however fleeting—reinforced his status as a comedy icon and the show’s ability to push boundaries in entertainment.