In its first episode since Donald J. Trump won the 2016 presidential election, “Saturday Night Live” embraced the tension that many of its viewers surely feel, satirizing Mr. Trump, his controversial campaign and the uncertainty that surrounds him as president-elect, but also mocking the bewilderment of liberals who did not consider the possibility that Hillary Clinton could lose — or the conditions that gave rise to his victory.

As the guest host, Dave Chappelle, joked in his opening monologue: “I didn’t know that Donald Trump was going to win the election. I did suspect it. Seemed like Hillary was doing well in the polls and yet … I know the whites. You guys aren’t as full of surprises as you used to be.”

He added, “America has done it. We’ve actually elected an internet troll as our president.”

There could hardly have been a more pointed moment for this appearance by Mr. Chappelle, an outspoken stand-up comedian who does not shy away from bold statements, and who walked away from his own celebrated Comedy Central sketch series, “Chappelle’s Show,” more than a decade ago.

Even as Mr. Chappelle spoke, Mr. Trump has been planning his transition, while protests against his presidency continue across the country.