"SNL" is live from the USS Abraham Lincoln.
The sketch show's latest cold open on Oct. 10 spoofed the Lincoln's recent return home to San Diego after a more than 10-month deployment. Colin Jost reprised his role as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who told the sailors, "You're back home safe in sunny San Diego, which the president just asked Iran to blow up."
Jost's Hegseth then got the sailors up to speed on "the stuff we've been doing on land, in case you immediately want to head back to sea," including plans to live stream the execution of former Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan in December.
"In December, as we get into the Christmas spirit, we're going to execute a guy in a wheelchair on live TV. That's right, public executions are back, kind of
like 'Scrubs,' " he said, going on to unveil a new logo for the Department of War that he admitted has a "Nazi vibe."
The cold open was a rare one to not feature James Austin Johnson's President Donald Trump. Johnson instead starred as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
"Yes, 200,000 pounds of pork, beef and goat meat have been recalled, but I just want to stress that catfish, pony and cricket are viable proteins for any American family," Johnson's Kennedy announced. "But I want to thank you: We were able to spot those recalls early by testing the meats on your ship."
Defense Secretary Hegseth addresses crew of USS Lincoln before their deployment ends pic.twitter.com/KnC3fMeUup
— Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) October 11, 2026
Shane Gillis hosted the show with musical guest Rosalía, marking his third hosting stint.
Who's hosting 'SNL' next?
"SNL" is taking a brief hiatus after this week's episode, with no new show on Oct. 17 or Oct. 24.
The show will return at the end of the month for a rare episode airing on Halloween. "Obsession" breakout star Inde Navarrette will host on Oct. 31 with musical guest Gracie Abrams.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'SNL' spoofs USS Lincoln return, mocks Trump's San Diego comments
