Get ready to cringe and laugh in equal measure, because Saturday Night Live just took aim at Pentagon Pete’s cringeworthy workout video—and it’s as hilarious as it is uncomfortable. This week, Colin Jost returned to the SNL cold open, reprising his role as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and let’s just say he didn’t hold back. While much of the sketch poked fun at Hegseth’s bold claims about the Trump administration’s recent actions in Venezuela, it was his infamous kettlebell workout video that stole the show—or should we say, the spotlight of ridicule? But here’s where it gets controversial... Jost’s parody didn’t just mimic Hegseth’s awkward form; it amplified it, complete with hip thrusts and a kettlebell that seemed to symbolize more than just fitness. Is this fair game for comedy, or does it cross the line into personal mockery?
In one memorable moment, Jost’s Hegseth declared, ‘You mess with America, and we’ll mess right back—just like I’m messing with this kettlebell.’ The line was a direct jab at Hegseth’s viral workout video, which had already sparked online debates about, well, let’s call it questionable technique. Jost even pulled out his own kettlebell, mimicking the real Hegseth’s movements with a mix of humor and exaggeration. ‘You might’ve seen it online,’ Jost quipped. ‘It went viral—in a good way, I think?’ And this is the part most people miss... The sketch didn’t just mock the video; it highlighted the broader absurdity of public figures using social media to project an image of strength—sometimes quite literally.
But Hegseth’s character wasn’t the only one under fire. SNL’s Trump, played once again by James Austin Johnson, interrupted the workout spectacle with a blunt observation: ‘Buddy, even I know you’re doing that wrong.’ Ouch. Meanwhile, the sketch also introduced Ashley Padilla as Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, replacing Tina Fey in the role. Padilla’s Noem delivered a tongue-in-cheek defense of recent events in Minneapolis, claiming, ‘Have we been perfect? Yes.’ Here’s the kicker... She then proceeded to recruit for ICE with a list of ‘qualifications’ that were equal parts absurd and unsettling: ‘Is your neck wider than your head? Are you wearing a Punisher T-shirt? If so, grab a gun and saddle up.’ Is this satire hitting too close to home, or is it exactly what we need to spotlight these issues?
The cold open also marked the debut of Jeremy Culhane as Vice President JD Vance, replacing Bowen Yang, who recently left the show. Trump couldn’t resist a jab at the cast change, joking that Vance had gotten ‘a makeover.’ Culhane’s Vance then delivered a line that summed up the sketch’s tone: ‘I came here to do two things: kick bubblegum and chew a--. And I’m all out of bubblegum.’
So, here’s the question for you: Does SNL’s brand of political satire still pack a punch, or has it become too reliant on personal quirks rather than policy critiques? Let us know in the comments—we’re all ears (and kettlebells).
