Image Source: Deadline
Colin Jost returned to the center of Saturday Night Live’s latest political satire, portraying Pete Hegseth in a provocative cold open focused on the defense secretary’s reported plans to stream a live execution. The October 10, 2026, episode used the fictional setting of the USS Lincoln to parody military leadership, shipboard conditions and the growing backlash surrounding televised executions.
Colin Jost Delivers a Bold SNL Take on Pete Hegseth
Jost once again played Hegseth as an aggressively confident figure whose tough-guy image masks obvious insecurity. In the sketch, Hegseth addressed the crew of the USS Lincoln after the ship had spent 265 days at sea without a port call.
The fictional briefing referenced reports of poor conditions and low morale among sailors. Rather than offering reassurance, Jost’s Hegseth leaned into exaggerated bravado, turning the crew’s difficult deployment into another opportunity for jokes about military strength and political spectacle.
One of the sketch’s most controversial punchlines centered on a planned livestream of an execution. Hegseth announced that public executions were returning, framing the event as holiday entertainment. He then joked that if the condemned man survived the firing squad, he would have to fight Jake Paul.
The bit was based on reports that the Pentagon had confirmed plans to stream the December execution of Nidal Hassan, who was sentenced to death for killing 13 people and injuring dozens more during a 2009 rampage at Fort Hood.
Explosive Jokes Target the Live Execution Controversy
The idea of broadcasting an execution has drawn criticism from lawmakers in both political parties. The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops also described the plan as a “barbaric promotion of a culture of death.”
Saturday Night Live used that public reaction as the foundation for an especially dark sequence. By presenting the execution as a spectacle complete with celebrity boxing references, the sketch highlighted concerns that a government-backed broadcast could turn capital punishment into entertainment.
Jost’s performance also included several visual gags designed to reinforce the character’s exaggerated persona. He wore a sash filled with small bottles and described it as an ammunition belt made from Fireball cinnamon whiskey, calling it the only alcohol designed to taste better on the way back up.
Department of War Logo Becomes Another SNL Target
The cold open also mocked the Trump administration’s preferred name for the Defense Department: the Department of War. A new logo displayed behind Hegseth became the subject of another joke after a sailor questioned whether the eagle design had a Nazi influence.
Jost’s Hegseth responded that it was “an American eagle with a Nazi vibe.” The line referenced online attention surrounding a revised eagle image used during a speech at the Air Force Academy. Critics had compared elements of the design to imagery associated with the Nazi regime.
That exchange allowed the show to connect a current political controversy with its broader portrayal of Hegseth as someone constantly attempting to project authority. The character’s exaggerated confidence became the recurring joke, with each new statement making him appear less prepared and more desperate to seem formidable.
James Austin Johnson Appears as Robert Kennedy Jr.
The sketch featured another political cameo from James Austin Johnson, who appeared as Robert Kennedy Jr. Johnson mimicked Kennedy’s gravelly delivery while discussing a meat recall affecting pork, beef and goat products.
His character suggested that catfish, pony and cricket could serve as alternative proteins for American families. He then claimed the recalled products had been identified early because they were tested on the sailors aboard the USS Lincoln, adding another layer of absurdity to the ship’s already miserable fictional deployment.
The segment concluded with Jost’s Hegseth misquoting Abraham Lincoln by actually invoking the lyrics of Linkin Park’s “In the End.” He thanked the sailors for being willing to “go down with the ship,” followed by a risqué joke that matched the character’s deliberately inappropriate tone.
Why Colin Jost’s SNL Sketch Is Drawing Attention
The latest cold open demonstrates how Saturday Night Live continues to use Jost’s political impressions to respond rapidly to controversial headlines. His version of Hegseth has become defined by overcompensation, military posturing and a willingness to turn serious subjects into spectacle.
According to Deadline, the sketch arrived as criticism of the proposed livestream continued to spread. By combining the execution controversy with the USS Lincoln deployment, the Department of War branding and the recalled-meat storyline, the show created a fast-moving satire of several news stories at once.
Whether viewers found the material funny or disturbing, the segment ensured that the debate over televised executions reached a large late-night audience. It also reinforced Jost’s role as one of SNL’s most recognizable political performers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Colin Jost play on Saturday Night Live?
Colin Jost played Pete Hegseth in the episode’s cold open, portraying the defense secretary as an overconfident and provocative military leader.
What was the SNL sketch about?
The sketch focused on Hegseth addressing sailors aboard the USS Lincoln while joking about a proposed livestream of an execution and other political controversies.
Who played Robert Kennedy Jr.?
James Austin Johnson played Robert Kennedy Jr., using an exaggerated version of Kennedy’s gravelly voice during the meat-recall portion of the sketch.
Why did the execution joke attract criticism?
The joke addressed reported plans to stream an execution, an idea condemned by lawmakers from both parties and the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
