‘SNL’ Cold Open Spoofs Pete Hegseth’s Group Chat Scandal

In the recent cold open of “Saturday Night Live,” Mikey Madison humorously portrayed a teenage girl whose group chat was infiltrated by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The sketch highlighted the absurdity of military communications and political commentary through comedic dialogue about Yemen raids and a date with Matt Gaetz. Madison’s performance marked a unique debut for a host, blending satire with entertainment.

In a recent episode of “Saturday Night Live,” host Mikey Madison, known for her recent Oscar win for “Anora,” humorously portrayed a teenage girl engaged in a group chat. The sketch satirized the Department of Defense group text scandal involving Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Hegseth, played by Andrew Dismukes, awkwardly infiltrated the chat, where the teenage girls discussed their crushes and high school gossip.

Hegseth’s character shared alarming updates about military operations, stating, “FYI, green light on Yemen raid. Rockets went airborne 15 minutes ago.” The absurdity continued as he added humorous elements to his military communications, complete with emojis. This scene served as a sharp critique of serious topics using lighthearted humor.

The sketch escalated as Vice President Bowen Yang joined the conversation, humorously alluding to ongoing political mysteries, saying, “Nobody knows why I’m here. Especially me.” Madison’s character, amidst the banter, received a car horn alerting her that a date with Matt Gaetz was imminent. This reference subtly targeted Gaetz’s controversial past related to investigations.

As the sketch progressed, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, played by Marcello Hernandez, entered the chat and jokingly suggested sending their addresses to immigration authorities, reinforcing the comedic tone. Madison’s debut on the show was marked by her participation in the cold open, an unusual placement for new hosts, highlighting her comedic prowess and the episode’s distinctiveness.

The episode of “Saturday Night Live” effectively highlighted the absurdity of political communications through the lens of teenage humor. Mikey Madison’s engaging performance brought to light sensitive topics, illustrating how satire can provide critical commentary while entertaining viewers. The contributions of the ensemble cast enriched the skit’s comedic value, emphasizing the interplay between politics and pop culture.

Original Source: variety.com