Colin Jost plays Pete Hegseth in an SNL segment targeting USS Abraham Lincoln sailors
On Saturday Night Live, Colin Jost appeared as Pete Hegseth in a sketch that mocked the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln. The segment joked about the ship's poor food, sanitation problems, and the stress of its extended deployment. Shane Gillis hosted the episode.
During the episode hosted by Shane Gillis, Colin Jost’s cold-open portrayal of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke to assembled USS Abraham Lincoln sailors. The sketch referenced their reported complaints about poor meals, sanitation, and a record-long deployment that included suicide attempts. It also brought in James Austin Johnson as Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Other targets included the ship’s return to San Diego, a new Department of Defense flag design, and the prospect of public executions. The Hegseth character joked about Nidal Hasan and Jake Paul, while the RFK Jr. character discussed suspect meat and alternative proteins for the crew.
The sketch could amplify online debate about how comedy portrays military service, mental health, and political leadership. Affected groups may include USS Abraham Lincoln personnel and veterans, who might feel mocked or defended, and SNL viewers, whose perceptions of Hegseth and the military could shift. It may also draw criticism from supporters of the administration or from those concerned about politicizing service members’ hardships.