SNL parody skit satirizes conditions on USS Abraham Lincoln after year-long deployment
The latest Saturday Night Live cold open featured a comedic portrayal of sailors returning to the USS Abraham Lincoln, referencing reported onboard issues and political satire.
Saturday Night Live aired a cold-open in which Colin Jost, playing a caricature of a defense official, welcomed sailors back to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln after a 322-day deployment. The sketch referenced publicly reported problems on the ship, including plumbing failures and mental-health concerns among the crew.
Jost’s character, named Pete Hegseth, joked about the sailors’ experiences, noting the number of suicide attempts reported during the deployment and mocking the lack of functional toilets. He also referenced a fictional “Department of War” logo that he described as resembling a Nazi-style eagle, prompting a mock exchange with a sailor.
The segment included a cameo by James Austin Johnson portraying a satirical version of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who delivered a tongue-in-cheek health update and mentioned recalled food products. The sketch concluded with a parody of a Linkin Park lyric.
The real USS Abraham Lincoln returned to San Diego on Oct. 8 after more than 260 consecutive days at sea, a deployment that has been linked to supply shortages, broken plumbing and several suicide attempts among crew members. The episode was hosted by Shane Gillis, with musical guest Rosalía.