James Talarico crashes ‘SNL’ cold open days after turning Texas blue

Ella Morrison Sun, November 8, 2026 at 5:46 AM UTC

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Newly elected Texas Sen. James Talarico appears during the cold open of "Saturday Night Live" after turning Texas blue for the first time since 1988.

Newly elected Texas Senator James Talarico crashed the cold open of “Saturday Night Live,” just days after turning Texas blue for the first time since 1988.

During the show’s highly anticipated post-election episode, the upset-winning Lone Star State  Democrat interrupted the President Trump character — played by James Austin Johnson — who was using the insult, “Talafreako,” discussing Tuesday’s midterm blue wave.

“That’s Senator ‘Talafreako,’” the real lawmaker-to-be said as he crashed the sketch and forced himself in front of Trump’s character.

Newly elected Texas Sen. James Talarico appears during the cold open of “Saturday Night Live,” Nov. 7, 2026. SNL

Talarico appears with James Austin Johnson as President Trump. SNL

“I’m James Talarico, the guy who’s been texting you every day asking for $5,” the newly elected Senator quipped.

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“In this economy, who can blame you,” Johnson’s Trump said, poking his head behind the Democratic pol.

Talarico went on to explain how if the president and he “can work together, we can make life better for everyday Americans” because “it’s clear people want something new, they want something different.”

“I’m talking, of course, about ‘SNL’s cold opens. How many of these Trump freezers are they going to do,” Talarico questioned, seemingly taking a swipe at Johnson’s 50-odd appearances as the president during the show’s opening sketch.

“Infinity,” Johnson joked as Trump, before the pair yelled in unison, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night Live.”

Talarico won the Lone Star State’s race over Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton by securing just over 55% of the vote.

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”