SNL Cold Open Mocks Pete Hegseth and RFK Jr.

Saturday Night Live returned with a sharp political cold open that skewered prominent figures and current events. Colin Jost reprised his role as a rowdy Pete Hegseth, greeting sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln after nearly a year at sea. The sketch used dark humor to address serious reports surrounding extended naval deployments, including plumbing issues and crew morale.

Dressed in character with an ammunition belt stocked with miniature whisky bottles, Jost's Hegseth addressed the returning service members with chaotic energy. The writing leaned heavily into absurdity, poking fun at the administration's policy decisions and public statements while highlighting the stark disconnect between Washington officials and troops on the ground.

The sketch also turned its satirical lens toward other administration figures, including RFK Jr. and controversial policy proposals. By blending pop culture references with sharp political critique, the SNL writers managed to touch on polarizing news items while keeping the tone firmly in the realm of comedy.

Ultimately, the cold open served as another example of the show's ongoing focus on contemporary political theater. Viewers tuned in for the signature mix of satire and current affairs commentary, cementing the segment as a major talking point of the weekend's broadcast.