In a biting cold open on "Saturday Night Live," Colin Jost donned the persona of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, channeling his inner pro wrestling star. The character's entrance was marked by an energy drink slam and the unmistakable Dane Cook-esque finger gesture, setting the tone for a press conference that would devolve into chaos.
Jost's Hegseth claimed to be leading "Operation Kill Everybody" against Venezuela, citing the country as the target of a recent strike. When pressed about authorizing the attack on survivors of an earlier confrontation with suspected drug traffickers, he insisted he wasn't even in the room – though he did admit to needing an emergency meeting with his sponsor.
When Senator Mark Kelly criticized Hegseth's tactics, the secretary retaliated by mocking the senator's last name. The comment was a masterclass in absurdity, as if Hegseth genuinely couldn't believe Kelly's surname was female and therefore unqualified for office.
Later in the cold open, former Congressman Matt Gaetz reprised her role to ask about the scope of Hegseth's anti-trafficking operations. The question led to a surreal exchange in which Hegseth seemingly advocated for tolerance towards illicit substance traffickers, sparking outrage from the audience.
The segment's pivot into Donald Trump was its usual seamless blend of cringe and humor. The president was shown slumbering backstage, mumbling sweet nothings to New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani – a moment that perfectly captured the tone of the absurd cold open. Throughout, Jost's Hegseth remained steadfastly oblivious, refusing to acknowledge even the slightest criticism, making for a truly unforgettable performance.
Jost's Hegseth claimed to be leading "Operation Kill Everybody" against Venezuela, citing the country as the target of a recent strike. When pressed about authorizing the attack on survivors of an earlier confrontation with suspected drug traffickers, he insisted he wasn't even in the room – though he did admit to needing an emergency meeting with his sponsor.
When Senator Mark Kelly criticized Hegseth's tactics, the secretary retaliated by mocking the senator's last name. The comment was a masterclass in absurdity, as if Hegseth genuinely couldn't believe Kelly's surname was female and therefore unqualified for office.
Later in the cold open, former Congressman Matt Gaetz reprised her role to ask about the scope of Hegseth's anti-trafficking operations. The question led to a surreal exchange in which Hegseth seemingly advocated for tolerance towards illicit substance traffickers, sparking outrage from the audience.
The segment's pivot into Donald Trump was its usual seamless blend of cringe and humor. The president was shown slumbering backstage, mumbling sweet nothings to New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani – a moment that perfectly captured the tone of the absurd cold open. Throughout, Jost's Hegseth remained steadfastly oblivious, refusing to acknowledge even the slightest criticism, making for a truly unforgettable performance.
Colin Jost's take on Pete Hegseth is giving me LIFE! The way he just rolls with it and goes full-on pro wrestling mode is EVERYTHING. And can we talk about the finger gesture? 
That Dane Cook-esque move is iconic.
. And that exchange with Senator Kelly's last name? 
. That whole exchange is just... wow.
I love how SNL is tackling these issues head-on. It's like they're saying "hey, we know you guys are weirdos, but let's talk about it". Trump's cameo was just the icing on the cake - it's like he's still trying to be relevant.
. i'm not sure if it's meant to be satirical or just plain ridiculous, either way it's hilarious 
. did anyone else think the part where Hegseth pretended he didn't know his own name was a low point tho? 
what a perfect example of satirical genius! 
I'm not buying it... this whole thing sounds like an exaggeration to me 
. The part about Operation Kill Everybody and targeting survivors of a confrontation with suspected drug traffickers just seems too out there. Where's the evidence? What's the real motivation behind Hegseth's antics? It feels like Colin Jost is just having fun at our expense, but I need to see some credible sources backing up this wild story before I believe it 
I'm low-key impressed by Colin Jost's improv skills on SNL last night 
He totally nailed that pro wrestling vibe and went all in on the absurdity of Pete Hegseth's antics 
And can we talk about how cringeworthy it was when he went after Senator Kelly with a ridiculous comment about her last name? 
like what even is that? It's all just so ridiculous and funny at the same time. The way he just refuses to acknowledge any criticism is just perfect. I'm a bit worried about our military being led by someone who can't handle a little scrutiny, but at least it's entertaining to watch. 
it's a whole thing!