Texas Democrat James Talarico made an unexpected appearance on Saturday Night Live after flipping a Senate seat blue, joining a sketch that once again poked fun at Donald Trump.
The 37-year-old state representative and former middle school teacher surprised viewers when he interrupted the “president,” portrayed by comedian James Austin Johnson, during the program’s first episode since Tuesday’s historic midterm elections.
Talarico captured 55.09 percent of the vote in the Texas Senate race, defeating Republican Ken Paxton and ending a 38-year period without a Democratic senator representing the state.
In the sketch, Johnson’s Trump launched into a rambling discussion of the Democrats swept into office during what has been dubbed the “blue tsunami.” He singled out Talarico, mockingly mispronouncing his name as “Talafreako.”
Moments later, the senator-elect stepped in front of Johnson, prompting loud cheers from the studio audience.
“I’m James Talarico, the guy who’s been texting you every day asking for five dollars,” he said by way of introduction.
Wearing his trademark suit and scraggly wig, Johnson’s Trump turned to the cameras and replied: “In this economy, who can blame you?”
Although the sketch took aim at Trump over soaring gas prices and an economy strained by his deeply unpopular war in Iran, Talarico briefly changed the mood by suggesting he was willing to work with Republicans.
Texas Democrat James Talarico made an unexpected Saturday Night Live appearance days after flipping the Senate seat blue
Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton with 55.09 percent of the vote, ending a 38-year stretch without a Democratic senator representing Texas
“But I think, Mr. President, that if we work together, we can improve life for everyday Americans. It’s obvious that people want something new. They want something different,” the Democrat said.
“I’m talking, of course, about SNL’s cold opens,” he added. “How many of these Trump freezers are they going to do?”
Mimicking the president’s familiar gestures, Johnson’s Trump spread both arms and answered: “Infinity!”
The “freezers” reference a recurring SNL cold-open gag in which cast members remain motionless behind Johnson’s Trump while he speaks directly to the audience.
This week’s sketch also featured House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, played by Kenan Thompson, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, portrayed by Sarah Sherman.
Following Tuesday’s sweeping Democratic victories, the two men were positioned to lead their party’s new House and Senate majorities. At the same time, both faced mounting pressure from Democrats who argued that younger leaders should take over.
Jeffries, who was set to become House speaker, had an approval rating of just 18 percent, while Schumer, expected to become Senate majority leader, stood at 13 percent.
Saturday’s sketch showed SNL’s versions of the two politicians celebrating the “blue tsunami” while carefully avoiding the question of whether it was time to pass the torch to a younger generation.
In the sketch, SNL’s Trump discussed the Democrats swept into office in the “blue tsunami,” including Talarico, whom he called “Talafreako”
Talarico’s stunning 12-point win in deep-red Texas was among the defining moments of Tuesday’s sweeping Democratic wave
Talarico told the sketch’s Trump: “If we can work together, we can make life better for everyday Americans. It’s clear people want something new”
The camera then cut to SNL’s Jeffries and Schumer celebrating the blue tsunami while jokingly refusing to acknowledge that energized young Democrats might be signaling that it is time for the pair to step aside.
Johnson’s Trump impression also returned to address the election results. “The other day we lost, and I didn’t even say it was rigged. I accepted the results, which is almost scarier in a way. It’s like, ‘What the hell is he planning?’”
“I’ll tell you what I’m planning: ballroom. That’s it. That’s all I care about,” Johnson said.
“Look at that beam, big beam over there. Look at that, and marble. The likes of which you’ve never seen,” he continued.
“Oh my God! I hate my life. The next two years are going to be awful. I don’t want to work with these people. It’s not that they’re Democrats—it’s that they’re millennials.”
Talarico’s 12-point victory in heavily Republican Texas ranked among the most striking results of Tuesday’s Democratic surge, as the party made major gains nationwide.
Unlike Trump, who Our News Outlet reported had retreated to the White House residence as the results came in, Paxton offered an unusually gracious concession speech soon after it became clear he had lost.
Paxton said he would “pray” for Talarico, then remained for hours to shake hands with supporters and pose for photographs.
