SNL Cold Open Sparks Conservative Backlash Over Trump and Hegseth Jokes

Saturday Night Live faced strong criticism from conservative viewers following its March 14 cold open. The sketch mocked President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amid rising gas prices and the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict. The segment quickly ignited heated debate across social media platforms.

The episode opened with a family of four frozen at a gas pump, visibly struggling with high fuel costs. James Austin Johnson, as Donald Trump, stepped into the scene and spoke directly to the camera, reprising his long-running impersonation with familiar flair.

Johnson’s Trump greeted viewers by saying, “Hi, it’s me, Donald Trump. You might remember me from such campaign promises as lower gas prices and no more wars.” He then added, “Psych! We love to make promises, because a promise is just a lie that hasn’t happened yet.”

The character joked that gas now costs “a million, billion dollars a gallon” due to the war with Iran. He delivered a deliberately muddled explanation: “Gas prices are very high because of war with Iran, which is where they make gas. I wish someone had told me that.”

Johnson’s Trump also lamented the falling stock market before claiming victory was assured because “Iran is old and nobody likes them.” He compared Iran to ballet and opera, referencing Timothée Chalamet’s recent comments, prompting groans from the live audience.

Colin Jost appeared as Pete Hegseth, emerging from the backseat of the family’s car amid a cascade of empty beer cans. He quipped, “If you’re wondering why I was in the back seat of this random family’s car, I’ll tell you the same thing I say when people ask about our plans for Iran: I don’t know.”

Jost’s Hegseth launched into a rambling rant, blaming the media for negative portrayals. He called journalists “gaybees” who are “completely unpatriotic” and accused them of twisting his words to make him appear foolish.

The sketch included jokes about military strikes, with Hegseth suggesting he would blame incidents on Iran’s leadership or alcohol. He also advised tanker captains navigating the Strait of Hormuz to “close your eyes and gun it” if they encounter mines.

Conservative audiences erupted online, accusing SNL of political bias and selective targeting. Many pointed out that the show rarely addressed high gas prices during the Biden administration, calling the criticism one-sided and unfair.

Viewers mocked the humor as outdated or unfunny, with comments like “SNL hasn’t been funny for 30 years” and “Where’s the funny?” Others defended Trump, arguing the sketch ignored broader geopolitical factors, including Israel’s role in the conflict.

The episode, hosted and musically performed by Harry Styles, highlighted ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Gas prices have climbed recently, with the national average reaching about $3.60 per gallon, fueling real-world frustration that the sketch amplified through satire.