James Talarico, fresh off his victory in Texas’ Senate race, popped up on Saturday Night Live, interrupting a Trump-themed cold open in which the president was licking his wounds after midterm voters delivered a historic repudiation of his administration and its Republican enablers.
Trump (James Austin Johnson) grumbled about Democrats retaking the House and Senate by substantial margins.
“Election is over now, so I hope you enjoy what you voted for: Jon Ossoff, or as I call him, ‘Pinky Herman,’” he said, reflecting the president’s botched nickname for the Georgia senator. “Abdul El-Sayed, or as I call him, Mamdani for men. And, of course, down in Texas, ‘Talafreako.’”
“That’s ‘Senator Talafreako,’” the incoming lawmaker said to massive applause, taking up Trump’s spotlight in the process.
“Hi America, I’m James Talarico, the guy who’s been texting you every day asking for $5,” he joked.
“In this economy,” Trump quipped, “who can blame you.”
Talarico continued: “But I think, Mr. President, if we can work together, we can make life better for everyday Americans. 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?” he joked, as Trump answered: “Infinity.”
“Well, in that case, there’s only one thing left to say,” he concluded as Trump joined in: “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!”
In defeating scandal-plagued, Trump-endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Talarico became the first Texas Democrat elected senator since 1988. Also elected was Democrat Gina Hinojosa, who will replace Greg Abbott.