SNL adds James Talarico to post-election Trump cold open

“Saturday Night Live” put newly elected Texas Sen. James Talarico in its November 7 cold open, where he joked about $5 fundraising texts, according to a Variety trade-press report on November 8.

The appearance tied NBC’s sketch franchise to post-midterm politics after the Halloween episode averaged 5.2 million viewers, the season’s biggest audience, Variety reported.

Talarico entered near the end of the opening sketch to audience applause. “I’m the guy who’s been texting you every day asking for $5,” he said, introducing himself to the show’s version of President Donald Trump, played by James Austin Johnson.

The sketch used Johnson’s Trump character to interrupt a scene with Sarah Sherman as Chuck Schumer and Kenan Thompson as Hakeem Jeffries. When Talarico asked how long the show would keep returning to that device, Johnson’s Trump replied: “Infinity!”

Talarico’s role leaned on his political profile after his Texas Senate win. Atlas360 reported on November 4 that the Democrat flipped a Texas Senate seat in a $168 million race that ended three decades of Republican control.

Saturday’s episode was hosted by comedian Druski, whose real name is Drew Desbordes. Variety said he was the first online content creator to host “Saturday Night Live,” with The Strokes listed as musical guest.

The season’s earlier hosts included Jalen Brunson on September 26, Dakota Johnson on October 3, Shane Gillis on October 10 and Inde Navarrette on October 31. Musical guests included Katseye, Turnstile, Rosalía and Gracie Abrams.

The show’s next announced episode is scheduled for November 14, with John Mulaney as host and Phoebe Bridgers as musical guest.

Source: trade-press report, Variety, November 8, 2026