SNL's Kristi Noem And Pete Hegseth Parody, Reactions - BuzzFeed

"There's nothing better in these times to watch than Jost's secretary of incompetence."

This week, Saturday Night Live's cold open dragged President Donald Trump's Secretary of War Pete Hegseth over the war in Iran and the news of Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem's firing.

Saturday Night Live

Three people are in a room, one speaking in the foreground, with two listening intently in the background

On the March 7 episode hosted by Ryan Gosling, Colin Jost reprised his role as Hegseth, portraying him as an "unhinged fratboy."

Person in a suit speaks at a podium with a presidential seal, flanked by flags. Background features decorative elements

Jost's Hegseth literally started with a keg stand, which really set the tone for the rest of the cold open, which was completely off the rails.

A man in a suit is held upside down over a keg by two people in military uniforms during a comedic skit

SNL mocked the way the Department of War and the Trump administration have been addressing the Iran attacks on social media.

A person in a suit speaks passionately at a podium with U.S. and military flags in the background

And Jost's version of Hegseth reeeeeaaaaally took it there.

A person in a suit speaks at a podium with U.S. and military flags in the background, appearing on C-SPAN

When a reporter referred to the attacks from the US and Israel on Iran as a war, he abruptly interrupted her.

Comedian delivers a satirical speech, humorously denying a situation is a "war" and jokes about labeling, referencing a past relationship as an example

Then, Hegseth introduced Noem to the reporters, apparently for the last time, given the recent announcement of her replacement. Trump announced on Truth Social on March 5 that Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma will replace Noem on March 31.

Person in a suit passionately speaking at a podium with flags in the background

Ashley Padilla reprised her role as Noem to clear up any confusion about her reassignment by President Trump.

A woman in a dark blazer speaks at a podium with flags in the background, as seen in a C-SPAN broadcast

Padilla's Noem shared why she was proud of her accomplishments in her time at the Department of Homeland Security.

A person humorously discusses job achievements, mentioning border security, deportation, spending on ads, and a personal anecdote about a coworker

And she explained that her departure might be "bittersweet," but she's excited for her new role as a special envoy of "The Shield of the Americas," created by President Trump.

Person speaking at a podium with flags and a C-SPAN logo, dressed formally in a dark suit with long wavy hair

SNL's cold open was brutal, to say the least, from start to finish.

A person stands at a podium speaking, with two flags behind them and a "C-SPAN" logo visible in the lower right corner

People can't stop talking about Colin Jost's "frat boy" portrayal of Pete Hegseth.

Person in a suit on stage, gesturing with arms wide. C-SPAN and SNL logos in corner

Others couldn't get over how close SNL's cold open feels to our disturbing "reality."

SNL

Two individuals on stage singing or speaking enthusiastically into a shared microphone, both dressed in formal attire with American flags in the background