Key Highlights
- Saturday Night Live featured Colin Jost portraying Pete Hegseth during its cold open segment.
- The sketch depicted Hegseth welcoming back the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln following a 10-month deployment, where sailors confronted him over the Pentagon’s controversial rebranding.
- Cast member James Austin Johnson made an appearance as Health Secretary RFK Jr., addressing the crew alongside Jost’s Hegseth.
Colin Jost Steps In as Pete Hegseth in Saturday Night Live Cold Open
Saturday Night Live kicked off its broadcast this week by placing Colin Jost in the center of the political satire spotlight. Jost took on the role of Pete Hegseth, portrayed in the cold open as the head of the newly rebranded Department of Defense War. The cold open focused on Hegseth attempting to celebrate a military milestone that quickly devolved into an uncomfortable confrontation with returning service members.
In the sketch, Hegseth stands before the returning crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln to welcome them home after spending 10 months at sea—marking one of the longest naval deployments since the Vietnam War. However, what was framed as a high-profile victory lap rapidly unraveled. The assembled sailors made it immediately clear that they were displeased with Hegseth, quickly shifting the tone of the event by voicing serious concerns about the leadership and pressing him with pointed questions regarding the Pentagon’s new “Nazi eagle” logo.
Addressing the sailors’ unease directly, Hegseth offered an immediate clarification regarding the design aesthetic. “It’s an American eagle, with a Nazi vibe,” Hegseth clarifies quickly in the sketch, underscoring the absurd nature of the department’s visual rebranding.
James Austin Johnson Appears as Health Secretary RFK Jr.
Adding another dimension to the cold open, veteran impersonator James Austin Johnson made a notable departure from his standard political impression. Johnson, who is typically occupied playing Donald Trump on the late-night comedy show, switched roles to portray Health Secretary RFK Jr. for a change of pace.
Taking the stage alongside Jost’s Hegseth, Johnson’s RFK Jr. attempted to reassure the exhausted crew regarding conditions on the home front. He told the sailors that the nation they were returning to is healthier than ever, qualifying the optimistic statement by noting the exception of a handful of new viruses that have recently emerged as a result of widespread food-borne illness outbreaks.
Why This Matters
Political cold opens remain the cornerstone of Saturday Night Live‘s cultural footprint, serving as a rapid-response parody of the latest developments within presidential administrations and government agencies. By spotlighting Pete Hegseth and the retooling of the Pentagon, alongside RFK Jr.’s role overseeing public health, the sketch targets current headlines surrounding the Department of Defense War and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Furthermore, shuffling cast roles—specifically shifting James Austin Johnson away from his frequent Trump portrayal to embody RFK Jr., while pulling Weekend Update co-anchor Colin Jost into the main cold open ensemble—highlights the show’s evolving approach to casting key political figures as administrative leadership changes in Washington.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Colin Jost portray in the Saturday Night Live cold open?
Colin Jost portrayed Pete Hegseth, presented in the sketch as the head of the rebranded Department of Defense War.
What event served as the setting for the sketch?
The cold open was set at the homecoming reception for the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln, who returned after enduring a 10-month naval deployment—one of the longest since the Vietnam War.
Who played Health Secretary RFK Jr. during the broadcast?
Cast member James Austin Johnson stepped into the role of Health Secretary RFK Jr., offering an update on national wellness and food-borne illnesses to the returning sailors.
