Nikki Glaser's Controversial Debut on SNL: From Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Renowned comedian Nikki Glaser made a splash with her debut as host of Saturday Night Live (SNL) on November 8, 2025.

Glaser, known for her boundary-pushing and outspoken comedy style, delivered a lengthy opening monologue and several sketches that were considered controversial.

Her comedy, which touched on sensitive topics such as sex trafficking, pedophilia, and controversial figures like Jeffrey Epstein, divided audiences.

The episode, which also featured guest musician Sombr, demonstrated Nikki Glaser's courage in delivering comedy that challenges norms.

Glaser joked about how it's cultural appropriation for white people to "paint their skin a different color" by getting spray tans before moving into the "boring" experience of going to a nail salon.

Actress and comedian Nikki Glaser is under fire after cracking jokes about s*x trafficking, r*pe, and m*lestation during her Saturday Night Live monologue.Glaser joked she’s tired of seeing human/child trafficking posters in bathrooms and said that when she was younger, her… pic.twitter.com/uozSep2EPe

— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) November 9, 2025

Nikki Glaser, the 41-year-old stand-up comedian, finally made her highly anticipated debut as host of SNL on November 8, 2025.

She was joined by guest musician Sombr, also a newcomer to the SNL stage.

Glaser had previously gained widespread recognition for her appearances on "The Roast of Tom Brady" and as the 2025 Golden Globes host, making her the first solo female host to do so.

Nikki Glaser's arrival on SNL marked a new chapter in her comedic career, bringing her bold, signature style to one of America's most iconic comedy stages.

"Here I am in New York City: Epstein's original island," she said at the start of her stand-up set.

"You can go to the nail salon with a friend, but you get separated at the border. They do not let you sit next to each other," she joked, adding, "You can't talk to the woman doing your nails, because slavery? I don't know. She seems stuck and sad."

Nikki Glaser's opening monologue, she addressed a variety of sensitive topics with his trademark boundary-pushing comedic style, eliciting mixed reactions from the audience.

Some of the topics Glaser addressed included:

• Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell: He called New York City "Epstein's home island" and joked about Ghislaine's "resting face."
• Sex Trafficking and Rape: Glaser joked about his obsession with slavery after seeing warning signs of sex trafficking and expressed fear of "good old-fashioned rape" in his 20s.
• Pedophilia: A joke about the origins of pedophilia and a personal anecdote about suggesting he take a bath with his young niece sparked a backlash.
• Political Figures: He also took digs at Donald Trump regarding his skin color and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding health issues.
• Personal Relationships: Glaser didn't hesitate to joke about his girlfriend's height and the dynamics of their relationship.

In addition to her monologues, Nikki Glaser also participated in several noteworthy sketches.

These included a parody of YouTuber MrBeast in “Beauty and Mr. Beast,” a satire of Jennifer Hudson’s “Spirit Tunnel” in “Spirit Tunnel Anxiety,” and her role as a drunken friend at a bachelorette party in “Mechanical Bull.”

Glaser also appeared in “Karaoke Night” with Tommy Brennan, where they played siblings cracking jokes about incest, and the sketch “Pinwheel,” which focused on children’s book characters.

While some of her jokes on SNL may not have landed as well as her roasts or comedy specials, the episode Nikki Glaser hosted received a 5.8 rating on IMDb, making it the second-lowest rated of the season.

Glaser's monologue received mixed reactions from "SNL" viewers. Fans of her comedy praised Glaser for her unafraid to touch on inappropriate subjects, while others objected to the edgy material.

"Kudos to her for not watering down her act for 'SNL,' " one YouTube comment read, while on Instagram, another viewer wrote, "Pedophilia jokes are unequivocally disturbing and unnecessary."