Saturday Night Live opened its 51st season on October 4 with a politically charged cold open that mocked President Donald Trump’s unprecedented military summit at Quantico and the new Army physical standards introduced by Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth. The sketch featured Colin Jost as Hegseth and host Bad Bunny joining in on the satire, drawing laughs and sparking discussion across social media.
The premiere came just days after Trump gathered top military leaders at Quantico for a meeting that critics described as unusual and politically motivated. SNL used the moment to poke fun at the administration’s approach to military policy and culture, blending sharp political commentary with celebrity-driven entertainment.
SNL Skit Targets Trump and New Army Rules
In the cold open, Colin Jost portrayed Pete Hegseth and lampooned his push to roll back “woke” policies such as diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Jost started with a provocative joke, saying the “Army has never been gayer and never been fatter,” mocking Hegseth’s reported focus on soldier fitness and appearance.
The sketch exaggerated new rules by joking that the Army would now follow “frat party standards” — no overweight recruits and men needing to be “funny” if they were not fit. Jost also ridiculed Trump’s efforts to send National Guard troops to cities such as Chicago, Memphis, and Portland, noting that a federal judge blocked Trump’s attempt to deploy troops to Portland earlier this week.
Mid-scene, James Austin Johnson appeared as Donald Trump, mocking SNL for “getting old and confused” and threatening to unleash Federal Communications Commission action through Commissioner Brendan Carr. The bit referenced real tensions between Trump and late-night television, following ABC’s recent suspension of Jimmy Kimmel over controversial remarks.
Bad Bunny Brings Star Power and Cultural Pride
Host Bad Bunny, one of the world’s biggest music stars, added cultural significance to the episode. The NFL recently announced him as the halftime performer for Super Bowl LX. During his monologue, he shared a heartfelt message in Spanish, celebrating Latino contributions to U.S. culture and framing his Super Bowl role as a win for the community.
“It’s more than a win for myself; it’s a win for all of us,” Bad Bunny said in Spanish, addressing Latino fans across the United States. He then teased non-Spanish speakers with, “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn,” a playful nod to his upcoming halftime performance.
The announcement of Bad Bunny as the halftime performer has faced pushback from some Trump allies. Corey Lewandowski called the choice “shameful” on a conservative podcast, and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the NFL “sucked” for choosing him. Despite the criticism, his SNL hosting was praised by fans for blending humor, pride, and pop culture relevance.
Public Reaction and Cultural Buzz
The episode sparked a wave of reactions online. Fans celebrated the return of sharp political comedy and praised Bad Bunny for using his platform to highlight cultural identity. Critics of Trump applauded SNL for lampooning the military summit and new Army standards, while some conservative commentators expressed frustration at the portrayal.
The NFL’s halftime decision also gained fresh attention after the broadcast, reigniting debates about cultural representation, immigration, and entertainment’s political influence. SNL’s season 51 debut showed the show’s enduring ability to mix satire with timely cultural conversations.
Bad Bunny’s role in mocking Trump’s Quantico meeting on SNL demonstrates how pop culture and politics remain closely linked in 2025, with the show’s humor fueling national conversation once again.
FYI (keeping you in the loop)-
Q1: Did Bad Bunny host the SNL premiere?
Yes. Bad Bunny hosted Saturday Night Live’s season 51 premiere on October 4, 2025.
Q2: Why did SNL parody Trump’s Quantico meeting?
The sketch mocked President Trump’s unusual military summit and Pete Hegseth’s push for strict new Army physical standards.
Q3: Is Bad Bunny performing at the Super Bowl halftime show?
Yes. The NFL confirmed that Bad Bunny will headline the Super Bowl LX halftime show in 2025.
Q4: How did Trump supporters react to Bad Bunny’s role?
Corey Lewandowski and Kristi Noem criticized the NFL for selecting Bad Bunny as the halftime act, calling the decision “shameful.”
Q5: What was the highlight of the SNL cold open?
Colin Jost’s parody of Pete Hegseth and James Austin Johnson’s Trump impression stole the scene with biting humor.
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