SNL's Midterm Cold Open Mocks GOP Desperation and Trump's 'Imagination' Pledge

Key points

• The cold open depicted RNC staffers recording ads for Marco Rubio, Mitch McConnell, JD Vance, Pete Hegseth, and Donald Trump.
• Dakota Johnson hosted the episode, turning 37 during the broadcast, and was joined by Taylor Swift, who she jokingly referred to as her 'literal therapist.'
• Weekend Update mocked Trump's White House ballroom, Kristi Noem's divorce, and Pete Hegseth's military standards.
• The sketch highlighted the GOP's poor polling and Trump's promise to declare victory regardless of the actual election results.

Background

This episode follows the Republican National Committee's recent midterm convention in Dallas, which was heavily centered on Donald Trump despite low approval ratings and uneven enthusiasm among independents. Previous coverage noted that the convention was criticized for prioritizing narrative control over policy, with Trump promising a $5,000 'dividend' if Republicans won. The SNL sketch directly references these events, mocking the party's strategy to energize its base ahead of the November elections.

How outlets are covering it

The Washington Post provided a brief overview of the cold open's setting and the monologue, noting the presence of Taylor Swift. Mashable offered a detailed breakdown of the cold open, highlighting specific impressions of Marco Rubio, Mitch McConnell, JD Vance, Pete Hegseth, and Donald Trump, including Hegseth's 'slam poetry' and Trump's denial of election results. USA Today focused on the political satire, quoting Trump's promise to give $5,000 if Republicans win and his declaration that he would 'pretend' to be on the ballot. Rolling Stone emphasized the Weekend Update segments, mocking Trump's White House ballroom, Kristi Noem's divorce, and Pete Hegseth's military standards, as well as the surprise appearance of Taylor Swift. All sources agreed on the core events but differed in their emphasis, with Mashable and USA Today focusing on the cold open's political satire, while Rolling Stone highlighted the Weekend Update and the monologue.

Why it matters

The episode reflects the ongoing political tensions and the GOP's struggles in the midterm elections, using satire to critique the party's strategy and leadership. It also highlights the cultural impact of celebrity appearances, such as Taylor Swift's surprise cameo, which can influence public perception and media coverage.

What to watch

SNL will return next week with Shane Gillis as host and Rosalía as musical guest, followed by a Halloween episode on October 31 with Inde Navarrette hosting and Gracie Abrams as musical guest.