Saturday Night Live mocks Trump and Kristi Noem in latest episode

Saturday Night Live addressed current political events during its latest episode on October 4, 2026. Rolling Stone and Deadline both reported that the show featured comedy sketches about political figures ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. Rolling Stone noted that the show mocked a White House ballroom project, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Kristi Noem. [1][2]

During the Weekend Update segment, co-anchor Michael Che commented on President Donald Trump's plans for a White House ballroom built over a six-story bunker, Rolling Stone reported. Rolling Stone and Deadline both noted that the segment also targeted the recent divorce of Kristi Noem from her husband, Bryon Noem. Additionally, Deadline reported that Weekend Update covered ongoing controversies at Cornell University and the return of the television show Glee. [1][2]

The show's cold open sketch focused on the 2026 midterm elections, according to reports from The Wrap and Deadline. The Wrap reported that actors portraying President Trump, Marco Rubio, and Pete Hegseth appealed to Republican voters for support. Deadline noted that the sketch reflected political desperation just a month away from the midterms while the president faces low poll numbers. [3][4]

Colin Jost has been a staff writer for Saturday Night Live since 2005 and has served as a co-anchor of Weekend Update alongside Michael Che. Kristi Noem served as the governor of South Dakota before becoming the United States secretary of homeland security from 2025 to 2026. [6][7]