Tom Hanks Brings Back David S. Pumpkins As Donald Trump Hijacks ‘SNL’ Halloween Cold Open With Midterm Election Jokes
Tom Hanks made a surprise return as one of Saturday Night Live’s most memorable Halloween characters, but his appearance took an unexpected political turn when Donald Trump interrupted the sketch to deliver a mock campaign message ahead of the midterm elections.
The October 31 episode opened with a Halloween ride hosted by Kenan Thompson, featuring Jeremy Culhane and Grace Reiter as a couple enjoying the spooky attraction. What began as a traditional haunted experience soon took a familiar and much stranger direction when Hanks appeared as David S. Pumpkins, accompanied by his two skeleton dancers, played by Mikey Day and Bobby Moynihan.
David S. Pumpkins Returns To The Halloween Ride
Dressed as the eccentric Halloween character, Hanks launched into his signature routine, declaring, “I’m David Pumpkins, and I’m going to freak you out!” as he and the skeletons danced to upbeat music.
He then asked, “Any questions?”
Reiter’s character wanted to know who he was, prompting Hanks to enthusiastically answer, “I’m David Pumpkins, man!”
When Culhane asked what David Pumpkins actually was, the character simply replied, “A Halloween guy!”
But the couple still had another question: “Why are you on this ride?”
David Pumpkins began his response with “Two words,” before the sketch was abruptly interrupted by Donald Trump.
Trump Turns The Sketch Into A Midterm Election Ad
Trump entered the scene with a single-word announcement: “Midterms!”
Playing a fictionalized version of the president, he described himself as “your one true God” and joked about interrupting SNL sketches once again.
He also drew a comparison between himself and David S. Pumpkins, pointing out that both first appeared in 2016 and were “very loud, very orange, and very, frankly, annoying.”
Trump then shifted to a bizarre joke about Hanks, commenting on the actor’s appearance and making a series of remarks about his own supposed interest in men’s backsides. He even coined the fictional phrase “gay dementia,” turning it into a deliberately absurd punchline.
The political humor continued as Trump addressed the upcoming midterm elections, scheduled for Tuesday. He acknowledged that polls showed Republicans performing poorly and joked about concerns that Texas could turn blue.
“Midterms are on Tuesday, and the polls say we’re doing very badly,” he said. “And they’re saying Texas is turning purple, just like my hand. And if it goes blue, then just like my hand, I will leave it for dead.”
Trump also questioned why Hanks was appearing on SNL instead of narrating World War II documentaries before introducing someone he described as his “new friend and future press secretary.”
Nicki Minaj And Katie Zacharia Join The Sketch
Saidah Belo-Osagie appeared as rapper Nicki Minaj, delivering a brief introduction that poked fun at her career.
“What’s up, it’s Nicki Minaj,” she said. “I’m out here killing it, and by ‘it,’ I mean my career.”
Trump thanked her for appearing, then continued the sketch’s running joke about his admiration for men’s appearances.
The final guest was Katie Zacharia, portrayed by Veronika Slowikowska. Trump introduced her as his short-lived former press secretary, and she stepped forward to deliver the traditional line announcing the start of the show.
However, she stumbled over the opening, mispronouncing the word “live.”
Trump immediately pushed her aside, declaring, “No, you whiffed it.”
He then handed the moment to Hanks, who stood alongside his skeleton dancers to deliver the iconic introduction: “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!”
The episode aired Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
