Texas senator-elect James Talarico makes surprise cameo in Saturday Night Live cold open
James Talarico appeared as himself in Saturday Night Live’s opening sketch, joining a parody of President Donald Trump and other political impersonations following his recent Senate victory in Texas.
Texas senator-elect James Talarico made an unexpected appearance as himself in Saturday Night Live’s cold-open sketch, joining a parody of President Donald Trump and other political figures. The sketch, which featured James Austin Johnson’s Trump impersonation, ended with Talarico delivering a self-deprecating line about his daily fundraising texts and commenting on the economy.
Talarico, who defeated Republican Ken Paxton by 12 points in the 2026 Senate race, became the first Democrat to win a Texas Senate seat in more than three decades. His cameo echoed earlier appearances by politicians such as Kamala Harris on the show, highlighting the growing media profile of younger Congressional Democrats.
"I’m James Talarico, the guy who’s been texting you every day asking for five dollars," Talarico said during the sketch.
The sketch also featured impersonations of Senate leaders and a mock exchange between Johnson’s Trump and the cast. Johnson’s Trump character remarked on the election results and hinted at future plans for the White House ballroom, while other cast members delivered satirical commentary on the political climate.
Talarico’s SNL appearance comes after a previous controversy in which FCC Chair Brendan Carr raised an equal-time concern over his scheduled appearance on a late-night talk show, prompting the program to shift the segment to an online platform. With Talarico now a senator-elect, the issue is no longer applicable.