Trump Hijacks SNL Halloween Sketch With Hanks’ David S. Pumpkins

WHO:

Rolling Stone TV Movies - President Trump interrupted Tom Hanks’ portrayal of David S. Pumpkins in an “SNL” Halloween sketch.

Variety - Tom Hanks returned to “Saturday Night Live” to play David S. Pumpkins; James Austin Johnson portrayed President Trump, and Saidah Belo-Osagie portrayed Nicki Minaj.

Deadline - Tom Hanks returned as David S. Pumpkins, and James Austin Johnson played Donald Trump in the opener.

WHAT:

Rolling Stone TV Movies - The cold open showed Trump interrupting Hanks’ Halloween performance and praising his “great a.”

Variety - The sketch mocked Trump’s comments on the campaign trail and his focus on men’s physiques. Trump said he “might be gay.”

Variety - The segment also spoofed Nicki Minaj’s vocal support; the article excerpt does not specify what she supported.

Deadline - Trump interrupted the David S. Pumpkins skit to urge supporters to prevent a potential midterm defeat. Johnson’s Trump said, “The midterms are on Tuesday, and the polls say we’re doing very badly.”

WHERE:

Variety - The performance took place on “Saturday Night Live”; the article describes it as occurring on Halloween night.

WHY:

Deadline - Trump’s character urged supporters to act because polls showed his side doing “very badly,” and he sought to avoid a potential midterm drubbing.

Variety - The sketch’s subject included Trump’s increasingly bizarre campaign-trail comments and fixation with men’s physiques.

HOW:

Rolling Stone TV Movies - Trump’s interruption and praise of Hanks’ “great a” were presented as part of the Halloween sketch.

Variety - The cold open used portrayals of Trump and Nicki Minaj alongside Hanks’ revival of his lounge-style David S. Pumpkins character.

(UPDATED November 1, 2026 05:55 UTC)

Tom Hanks returned to “Saturday Night Live” as David S. Pumpkins in a Halloween sketch. James Austin Johnson’s Trump interrupted, praised Hanks’ physique, and joked about possibly being gay. The sketch also had Trump urge supporters to prevent a potential midterm defeat.