Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 1 hr ago
Trump Joins Tom Hanks’ David S. Pumpkins Return on SNL
Saturday Night Live brought back David S. Pumpkins in its Halloween cold open on October 31, 2026.
Tom Hanks reprised the character, an ineffective scare worker who first appeared on the show 10 years earlier.
James Austin Johnson appeared as President Trump, interrupting the sketch and comparing himself with Pumpkins as loud, orange and annoying.
The scene was set at the fictional Tombs of Doom, where visitors first saw an exhibit inspired by the story of Lizzie Borden.
Bobby Moynihan returned as one of Pumpkins’ skeletons, alongside Mikey Day.
The sketch revisited a character from the show’s past and added a surprise return by Moynihan.
Tom Hanks returned as David S. Pumpkins in the Halloween cold open of “Saturday Night Live.”
James Austin Johnson appeared as President Donald Trump, interrupting a Halloween amusement-park ride to joke about the midterm elections.
The sketch satirized Trump’s comments about men’s physiques and his support for Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton.
Saidah Belo-Osagie appeared as Nicki Minaj, and Veronika Slowikowska appeared as press secretary Katie Zacharia.
The episode was hosted by Inde Navarrette, with Gracie Abrams as musical guest.
- Who
- Tom Hanks returned as David S. Pumpkins, alongside cast members including James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump.
- What
- Saturday Night Live” aired a Halloween cold open that featured the returning character and satirized Trump and the midterms.
- When
- Halloween night, October 31, 2026.
- Where
- Saturday Night Live” on NBC. The sources do not state a more specific location for the cold open.
- Why
- The sketch spoofed Trump’s midterm messaging, including his comments about men’s physiques and his support for Ken Paxton.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Tom Hanks first appeared on “Saturday Night Live” as David S. Pumpkins.
Hanks returned as David S. Pumpkins in the show’s Halloween cold open.
Trump, in the sketch, referred to the midterm elections as taking place on Tuesday.
- Show
- Saturday Night Live
- Character
- David S. Pumpkins, played by Tom Hanks
- Trump impersonator
- James Austin Johnson
- Nicki Minaj impersonator
- Saidah Belo-Osagie
- Host and musical guest
- Inde Navarrette and Gracie Abrams
6 sources
‘SNL’ Cold Open: Trump Crashes Tom Hanks’ Halloween to Praise His ‘Great A**’
Trump Ruins David S. Pumpkins’ Return to SNL
‘SNL’ Cold Open Crashed by Tom Hanks as David S. Pumpkins, Nicki Minaj and Donald Trump, Who Admits He ‘Might Be Gay’
Tom Hanks Returns As David S. Pumpkins For ‘Saturday Night Live’ Opener — Interrupted By Donald Trump’s Fear Of A Midterm Ass-Whipping
‘SNL’: Trump Crashes Tom Hanks’ David Pumpkins Return in Cold Open
‘Saturday Night Live’: Tom Hanks returns as David S. Pumpkins, and more best moments from Inde Navarrette’s Halloween hosting gig [UPDATING LIVE]
What people are saying
We both appeared in 2016. We’re both very loud, very orange and, frankly, very annoying
The midterms are on Tuesday, and the polls say we’re doing very badly
Trump’s out here killing it — and by it, I mean my career
Posts on X
welcome back, David S. Pumpkins
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