Sen.-elect James Talarico (D-Texas) made a surprise cameo during the “SNL” cold open to turn President Donald Trump’s (played by James Austin Johnson) insulting nickname for him into a badge of honor just days after his historic election win.
Johnson’s Trump — who interrupted Democrats’ post-midterms celebration to tell party leaders “you’re welcome” for Tuesday’s blue tsunami — remarked that he hopes Americans “enjoy what they voted for” before listing off a number of monikers for newly-elected “dumbocrats.”
“Jon Ossoff or as I call him, ‘Pinky Herman.’ Abdul El-Sayed or as I call him, ‘Mamdani for men.’ And, of course, down in Texas, ‘Talafreako’ —,” said Johnson before Talarico walked out on stage.
“That’s Senator Talafreako!” said Talarico, the first Democrat to win a U.S. Senate race in the Lone Star State in 38 years.
Talarico, after soaking in nearly 15 seconds of cheers and applause, introduced himself as “the guy who’s been texting you every day asking for $5.”
Johnson’s Trump interjected, “In this economy, who can blame you.”
Talarico emphasized his desire to work with the president to “make life better for everyday Americans.”
“It’s clear people want something new, they want something different. I’m talking, of course, about SNL’s cold opens,” he quipped.
“How many of these Trump freezers are they going to do?”
Johnson’s Trump butted in, “Infinity!”
Check out Talarico crashing the “Saturday Night Live” cold open beginning around the 5:41 mark in the video below.