‘SNL’ Cold Open Critiques Pete Hegseth on Iran and Kristi Noem’s Departure
The latest cold open of “Saturday Night Live” provided sharp commentary on two prominent figures: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Kristi Noem, the former governor of South Dakota. The skit was led by Colin Jost, who portrayed an over-the-top Hegseth delivering a press conference amid escalating U.S. military actions in Iran.
SNL Cold Open: A Satirical Take on Hegseth and Noem
Jost’s performance featured Hegseth channeling the bravado of a professional wrestler. Dressed in a blue suit complete with an American-flag pocket square, he claimed the U.S. was conducting military operations with zany comparisons. “We’re treating Iran like the Breathalyzer in my car — we’re blowing it the hell up,” he quipped.
Mocking Military Strategies
During the skit, the faux Secretary of Defense pushed back against the labeling of the situation as a war. “It’s a situation-ship. This isn’t a war,” Jost’s character insisted. He likened military engagements to casual relationships: “If it feels good we’ll keep going, if we get bored we’ll start hooking up with Cuba.”
- Jost characterized the U.S. military’s approach to Iran as reckless and humorous.
- His comments included a taunt about how he plays “Grand Theft Auto” while the media is “playing chess.”
When questioned about potential ground troops in Iran, he jokingly responded: “Those boots would be your mom’s next to my bed after I bang her.”
Kristi Noem Under Scrutiny
Following the Hegseth segment, the skit introduced Kristi Noem, portrayed by a fellow cast member, who humorously described her departure from her role as being “reassigned under the bus.”
- Noem remarked, “I didn’t get fired. I self-deported.”
- She poked fun at her appearance, saying, “As I told my plastic surgeon, the work is never done.”
The sketch took aim at Noem’s controversial remarks about her dog shooting incident and alluded to rumors regarding her relationships, especially with Trump aide Corey Lewandowski. She announced her new role as head of the Trump-created Shield of the Americas, joking about her new office in a WeWork space near Denver.
Upcoming SNL Episodes
This particular episode of “Saturday Night Live” was notable for introducing Ryan Gosling as the host for the fourth time. The British band Gorillaz, led by Damon Albarn, served as the musical guest, marking their first performance on the show. Gosling’s appearance was part of his promotional activities ahead of the release of his new sci-fi film, “Project Hail Mary,” which debuts on March 20.
As “Saturday Night Live” continues to blend humor with current events, viewers eagerly await how it will address ongoing political narratives in the future.
