James Talarico Jokes About Donations in SNL Cold Open
The Texas senator-elect joined the sketch to mock his campaign finance strategy and tease a collaboration with President Trump.
By Leila Mansour ·
James Talarico appeared on the set of “Saturday Night Live” to join the show’s cold open following his victory in the Texas U.S. Senate race. The former state lawmaker and seminarian defeated Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton in an upset win that helped Democrats secure majorities in both chambers of Congress.
The sketch featured New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, played by Kenan Thompson, and Sen. Chuck Schumer, portrayed by Sarah Sherman, celebrating their party’s electoral gains. Sherman’s character introduced the pair as establishment Democrats and asked if they knew how to lose. Thompson’s character confirmed they did, but proposed a toast to their success in flipping the House and Senate.
President Donald Trump, played by James Austin Johnson, interrupted the celebration to claim credit for the results. He labeled the Democratic wave a “blue Toonami” and said he accepted the election outcome. He described the situation as scary and hinted at future plans involving a ballroom. He referred to Talarico by the nickname “Talafreako” before the real senator walked onto the stage to loud applause.
Talarico addressed the studio audience and introduced himself as the man who had been texting voters daily to request five dollars. The presidential impersonator responded that in the current economy, such persistence was understandable. Talarico, who campaigned on reducing wealth disparity and political corruption, suggested he would work with the president to improve life for everyday Americans.
The senator-elect joked that voters wanted something new and different, specifically referencing the show’s political sketches. He asked how many more “Trump freezers” the program intended to produce. His counterpart in the sketch replied that the answer was infinity. The two performers then concluded the segment by reciting the show’s standard live introduction from New York.
The broadcast aired on NBC, a division of NBCUniversal. The network is also the parent company of NBC News, which covered the election results and Talarico’s subsequent media appearances. Talarico’s win marked a major shift in Texas politics, where Republicans have historically dominated federal seats.
