Saturday Night Live (SNL) has found itself in hot water after mocking Pete Hegseth in a controversial skit that poked fun at the Trump Administration’s texting blunder involving national security plans.
The sketch targeted Hegseth, insinuating that he drinks on the job, following his involvement in a military group chat mishap.
The Texting Scandal That Sparked the Backlash
The controversy began when the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, revealed that he was mistakenly added to a military group chat on Signal, which included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and other top officials.
The chat, initially meant for secure communication, saw a mix of casual and inappropriate messages, leading to widespread criticism.
SNL’s Cold Open: Mocking National Security Officials
SNL’s cold open took aim at the situation, with a group chat skit portraying Hegseth (played by Andrew Dismukes) sending out texts about military strikes in Yemen.
The skit took a personal turn, mocking Hegseth for allegedly drinking while making crucial military decisions.
In the sketch, Hegseth joked about having a drink to celebrate, referencing his past pledge to stay sober while in office, a promise made after accusations of him drinking on the job during his time at Fox News.
Weekend Update Segment Adds Fuel to the Fire
During the Weekend Update segment, Colin Jost further ridiculed Hegseth and the entire texting scandal.
He mocked Hegseth’s response to the leaked messages and compared him to the beloved character Forrest Gump, suggesting that for Hegseth, life was “more like a box of wine.”
Viewers Defend Hegseth Against Personal Attacks
The jokes did not sit well with many viewers, who slammed SNL for crossing the line with personal attacks.
Many defended Hegseth, criticizing the show for what they deemed as unfair slander.
Some viewers took to social media, calling out the show for attacking Hegseth’s character, while others praised his contributions to national security.
Criticism Over SNL’s Humor and Integrity
As the backlash continued, some fans of the show also voiced their dissatisfaction with its content.
Viewers expressed disappointment over what they saw as a lack of genuine humor, with several commenting that the show had lost its comedic edge.
The focus on personal attacks, they argued, detracted from the original intent of the show—providing lighthearted and meaningful comedy.
Calls for Change and Accountability
While some defended the humor as typical of SNL’s edgy style, many felt it was uncalled for given the sensitive nature of the national security leak.
The controversy has sparked a debate over the line between satire and personal defamation, with many viewers calling for the show to be more careful in its portrayal of public figures.
As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen whether SNL will address the criticism or continue with its approach to satirical humor.