In the “Saturday Night Live” Halloween cold open, Tom Hanks revived his character David S. Pumpkins before being interrupted by James Austin Johnson’s Donald Trump, who joked that he “might be gay” while admiring the physiques of men.
What Happened During the SNL Halloween Cold Open
- Tom Hanks reprised his role as the character David S. Pumpkins alongside dancing skeleton sidekicks Mikey Day and Bobby Moynihan.
- James Austin Johnson’s Donald Trump interrupted the sketch to mock Republican midterm polling numbers and launch into jokes regarding male physiques.
- Saidah Belo-Osagie debuted as a spoof of Nicki Minaj, stepping in to lampoon the rapper’s recent campaign trail appearance alongside Trump.
Tom Hanks Brings Back David S. Pumpkins for a Haunted Ride
The late-night sketch kicked off with a low-end amusement park Halloween tour featuring cast members Jeremy Culhane and Grace Reiter alongside Kenan Thompson acting as a Grim Reaper guide. The group encountered historical figures like Lizzie Borden before running straight into Tom Hanks, clad once again in his signature orange-and-black pumpkin suit. Hanks delivered his classic line, I’m David Pumpkins, maaaaan!
backed up by Mikey Day and former cast member Bobby Moynihan in full-body skeleton jumpers.
The character first charmed and annoyed audiences back in his 2016 debut. Just as the ride started, James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump stepped onto the stage and froze the action. Johnson remarked, I’ll save you four minutes: He keeps popping up and confusing the people on the ride. The end.
Trump Impersonator Jabs at Midterms and Male Physiques
Johnson’s Trump quickly pivoted the sketch into a political lament about the upcoming November 3 midterm elections. Trump complained that the GOP was poised for a thumping at the polls. The character then launched into an unexpected string of remarks concerning the physical appearance of various candidates.
We both appeared in 2016. We’re both very loud, very orange and, frankly, very annoying,
Johnson said in character. 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.
Trump also whined that the midterms are on Tuesday. The polls say we’re doing very badly — aww aww. They’re saying Texas is turning purple, just like my hand,
raising his hand to show a gigantic bruise. Johnson as Trump called Texas’ GOP candidate for the U.S. Senate, Ken Paxton, an ugly son of a bitch
but urged voters to chose him over Democrat James Talarico, acknowledging that Talarico is much better looking. What a dynamic ass.
Nicki Minaj Spoof Follows Recent Campaign Trail Appearance
The cold open also drew heavily from real-world headlines by spoofing Nicki Minaj’s recent appearance at a political rally. The parody referenced Minaj supporting Trump. In the sketch, Saidah Belo-Osagie burst onto the stage as Minaj, declaring, Trump’s out here killing it — and by it, I mean my career.
The segment cast Minaj as Trump’s next choice for press secretary, following the quick exit of Katie Zacharia earlier in the month. Toward the end of the broadcast, Zacharia herself appeared on stage to attempt the signature opening line, before Hanks returned as Pumpkins to finally deliver the iconic shout: Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!
| Character / Role | Performer |
|---|---|
| David S. Pumpkins | Tom Hanks |
| Donald Trump | James Austin Johnson |
| Nicki Minaj | Saidah Belo-Osagie |
| Grim Reaper Guide | Kenan Thompson |
The Halloween installment of “SNL” was hosted by Inde Navarrette, with Gracie Abrams serving as the musical guest.
