SNL 52 Cold Open: Trump Looks to Rubio, McConnell & Hegseth for Help
The seven-minute sketch mocked GOP midterm ads with Rubio, McConnell, Hegseth and Trump, who repeated his $5,000 payout promise.
- On Saturday, Saturday Night Live aired a cold open mocking President Donald Trump and Republican midterm campaign efforts, depicting RNC strategists attempting to build buzz for the GOP with just over four weeks until the elections.
- Responding to 'bleak' polling numbers, the sketch at Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington showed party members summoned to film get-out-the-vote advertisements ahead of the midterms.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio, portrayed by Marcello Hernández, admitted in Spanish that Trump 'tricked' everyone, while Senator Mitch McConnell, played by Mikey Day, remained frozen in a wheelchair and nearly said 'Live from New York' prematurely.
- Closing the seven-minute sketch, President Trump, played by James Austin Johnson, addressed his $5,000 promise to voters, stating in the sketch it was 'not a bribe because I have no intention of following through on that promise.'
- Standing as the most Emmy-winning show in history with 115+ wins, Saturday Night Live continues its 52nd season, having featured host Dakota Johnson on October 3 alongside musical guest Turnstile. SNL returns next week with Shane Gillis hosting for his third time and Rosalía as musical guest.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Colin Jost Portrays Pete Hegseth in SNL Sketch Targeting GOP Midterm Strategy
The October 3, 2026, episode of Saturday Night Live opened with a sharp skewering of high-ranking Republican figures, centering on a parody of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Portrayed by Colin Jost, the segment targeted both the politician’s “macho” public persona and current celebrity business ventures, specifically Tom Holland’s non-alcoholic beer brand, Bero. The sketch targeted the contrast between public personas and anonymous silhouettes …
SNL Rips Mitch McConnell, Pete Hegseth, Trump in Cold Open
SNL went after the GOP's roster in a bruising cold open — with punishing takes on everyone from a buzzed Pete Hegseth to a barely-moving Mitch McConnell. The post SNL Drags the GOP Roster — Including a Feeble Mitch McConnell — in Bruising Cold Open first appeared on Mediaite.
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