SNL's Cold Open Mocks Ousted Attorney General Pam Bondi
In a biting political satire, Saturday Night Live targeted former Attorney General Pam Bondi during its recent cold open segment. The sketch, which aired on Sunday, April 5, 2026, featured cast member Ashley Padilla portraying Bondi in a defiant and humorous light.
Bondi's Character Claims Historic Firing
The scene was set against the backdrop of NCAA March Madness, with Bondi's character insisting she had made history through her dismissal. "The truth is, I was amazing at my job and I am proud to say I made history as the first woman ever to be fired as Attorney General," Padilla's Bondi declared. She added with dramatic flair, "I shattered that glass exit door."
Portrait Discarded Like Epstein Files
A particularly poignant moment in the sketch involved Bondi expressing sadness over reports that her official portrait had been thrown into a trash can by Justice Department staffers. "They tossed my headshot like it was the Epstein files," she lamented, referencing the controversial handling of documents related to financier Jeffrey Epstein.
This detail aligns with real-world reports from MS NOW, which indicated that staffers did indeed discard Bondi's portrait after her departure was announced. The sketch cleverly wove this factual element into its comedic narrative.
Context of Bondi's Firing
Pam Bondi was fired by former President Donald Trump amid widespread speculation regarding her management of the Epstein files and perceived failures by the Justice Department to prosecute political adversaries. The SNL cold open tapped into these controversies, using humor to highlight the circumstances surrounding her ouster.
The sketch concluded with Bondi's character expressing a desire to reclaim her position, underscoring the ongoing political tensions and the public fascination with high-profile dismissals in Washington.
