“THIS is why SNL still dominates late-night…” One shocking cold open turned political satire into full-blown live-TV chaos as Will Ferrell appeared in a surreal dream sequence that blurred comedy and discomfort. Controversial jokes, bizarre “future” visions, and tense exchanges inside Studio 8H kept the audience swinging between laughter and silence — before one line froze everything: “People will always associate you with me.”

Will Ferrell’s Jeffrey Epstein Haunts Donald Trump on ‘SNL’: ‘People Will Always Associate You With Me’

SNL Will Ferrell Jeffrey Epstein
Courtesy of SNL

Jeffrey Epstein made his “Saturday Night Live” debut during the May 16 cold open.

Host Will Ferrell played the monstrous sex offender and Trump pal in a sketch that began with the president (James Austin Johnson) chatting with JD Vance (Jeremy Culhane).

“I did what every doctor recommends for an 80-year-old: a two-day whirlwind trip to China,” Trump said. He soon sent the Vice President away (“I need some time to relax and to not be around you”), and fell asleep.

Jeffrey Epstein Hijacks 'SNL' in Twisted Trump Cold Open

Soon, Will Ferrell playing Jeffrey Epstein entered Trump’s dream, confirming, “I killed myself … wink!”

Epstein had some dark jokes along the way, such as mentioning that Trump’s falling approval ratings are in their 30s.

“Gross … call me when it hits 17,” Epstein quipped.

SNL Cold Open: Will Ferrell's Jeffrey Epstein Haunts Trump | Video

Epstein also said that he was able to show Trump the future, which included Kristi Noem (Ashley Padilla) shilling goods on HSN in six months, as well as secretary of war Pete Hegseth (Colin Jost) and FBI head Kash Patel (Aziz Ansari) filling a giant beer bong while recording an episode of Patel’s podcast KashCast.

As he started to leave Trump? “This time I’m going to leave you hanging.”

The sketch wrapped with Trump and Epstein singing a gorgeous duet of Grover Washington Jr.’s “Just the Two of Us,” with Epstein starting the performance with a promise to Trump that, “People will always associate you with me!”

This week’s episode, hosted by Ferrell with musical guest Paul McCartney, is the 51st season finale.

Watch the cold open below.