Updated November 1, 2026, 1:04 a.m. ET
“Saturday Night Live” returned just in time for an evening of political horror.
With the hotly contested midterm elections scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3, just three days away, NBC’s sketch comedy show had plenty of political material for its cold open Halloween party on Oct. 31.
But first it was Tom Hanks, who made a surprise return as his beloved “SNL” character David S. Pumpkins during a Halloween graveside tour. “I’m going to freak you out,” Pumpkins said, breaking into a strange dance for the character’s third live-action appearance. “I’m David Pumpkins, dude. Halloween guy.”
James Austin Johnson’s President Donald Trump interrupted with a bizarre and rambling midterm election message, emphasizing the many things he has in common with Pumpkins. “We both appeared in 2016, we’re both loud, very orange and very annoying.”
Trump couldn’t help but admire Hanks’ butt.
“Great ass on Hanks,” Trump said of Johnson. “I’ve been doing this lately, admiring men’s asses. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, except maybe I’m gay. They call it gay dementia. Dementia is short for ‘men show me their asses’.”
Trump also lamented the latest midterm polls. “They say we’re doing really bad. They say Texas is turning purple, just like my hand,” he said, showing his discolored hand. “And if Texas turns blue, just like my hand, I’ll leave him for dead.”
Both Johnson and Trump also took notice of Texas Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico, calling him better looking than Republican Ken Paxton and admiring his “dynamite ass.”
New actress Saidah Belo-Osagie stepped into the role of rapper Nicki Minaj, joking about her support for Trump and the possibility of becoming his next White House press secretary.
The president gave White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia (played by Veronika Slowikowska) the opportunity to “redeem herself” and deliver the show’s famous opening line. Zacharia, who earned a law degree but is not a licensed attorney, quickly botched the honor by nervously saying, “Live from New York and so many cities!”
Hanks had the honor of shouting, “Liiiiivvve from New York, it’s Saturday night!”
Episode 4 of Season 52 marked the return of “SNL” after a two-week hiatus, putting the show back on the air for the final weekend before voters go to the polls. By the time “SNL” returned, Zacharia had already been hired and fired as Trump’s White House press secretary, serving just five days on the job.
“Obsession” star Inde Navarrette hosted the Halloween episode, with Gracie Abrams as musical guest.
Gn entert
