Tom Hanks reprised his beloved David S. Pumpkins character during Saturday Night Live’s October 31, 2026, Halloween cold open, before James Austin Johnson’s Donald Trump interrupted the sketch to complain about midterm polls, mock candidates, and joke about admiring men’s physiques.
The October 31, 2026, episode of Saturday Night Live brought back a fan-favorite holiday figure just days before the November 3 midterm elections. As an amusement park Halloween ride got underway with visitors Jeremy Culhane and Grace Reiter, the spooky atmosphere shifted when a familiar face stepped out in a black suit covered in orange pumpkins.
What’s good? I’m David Pumpkins.
Tom Hanks, reprising his character via NBC TV
Flanked by skeleton dancers Mikey Day and returning cast member Bobby Moynihan, Hanks kicked off the third live-action appearance of the character, who first debuted in October 2016 just weeks before Trump’s first election victory. But the sketch did not stay in the amusement park for long.
James Austin Johnson Interrupts the Halloween Ride to Talk Midterms
Before the sketch could find its footing, James Austin Johnson burst onto the stage as Donald Trump to halt the action. Johnson’s Trump explained that he was pausing the sketch because Pumpkins kept popping up and confusing people on the ride.
In a new write up with Soap Central : fans was Not feeling the SNL skit, about @NICKIMINAJ and the president of United States, calling the skit, cheap and distasteful! The Halloween episode of SNL became disappointing for the fans after it introduced Donald Trump and Nicki… pic.twitter.com/0OHgjBsvKN
— https://x.com/CarmellaBigBarb/status/2116949590373003329
The interruption quickly pivoted to political commentary as Trump lamented the state of the upcoming November 3 midterms. Current polling data indicates that Democrats are positioned to take back the House of Representatives and potentially the Senate.
The midterms are on Tuesday, and the polls say we’re doing very badly. Ahhh. They are saying Texas is turning purple, just like my hand. And if it goes blue, then just like my hand, I will leave it for dead.
James Austin Johnson, playing Donald Trump via Deadline
Johnson’s Trump also addressed high-profile races, urging support for Texas Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton while calling him ugly and praising the look of Democratic opponent James Talarico.
Trump’s Remarks on Men’s Physiques and Nicki Minaj’s Cameo
The cold open leaned heavily into recent real-world headlines, specifically satirizing Trump’s campaign trail remarks about men’s bodies. Standing in front of Hanks, who remained frozen in character, Trump delivered a series of unexpected compliments.
Good acting, great ass. A great ass on Hanks — something that I’ve enjoyed lately admiring. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Just that I might be gay.
James Austin Johnson, playing Donald Trump via Variety
The sketch then introduced new cast member Saidah Belo-Osagie as rapper Nicki Minaj, building on her recent appearance alongside Trump at an October 25 rally in Port Huron, Michigan. In the parody, Minaj was introduced as a potential pick for White House press secretary, following the departure of Katie Zacharia.
Trump’s out here killing it, and by it, I mean my career,
Belo-Osagie’s Minaj declared after entering the sketch.
Veronika Slowikowska Botches the Opening Line Before Hanks Saves the Cold Open
To close out the cold open segment, Trump brought out fired press secretary Katie Zacharia—portrayed by new cast member Veronika Slowikowska—offering her a chance to redeem herself by delivering the show’s iconic opening line. Slowikowska nervously botched the delivery, saying, Live from New York, and from so many cities!
according to TV Insider.
Trump shoved her aside, handing the cue back to Hanks. Alongside his skeleton dancers, Hanks successfully shouted, Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!
to officially start the Halloween episode hosted by Obsession star Inde Navarrette with musical guest Gracie Abrams.
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