Tom Hanks Returns as Pumpkins on SNL
Saturday Night Live's Halloween episode opened with a cold open featuring Tom Hanks and James Austin Johnson's Donald Trump.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Holiday Music
Saturday Night Live aired its Halloween episode on October 31, with a cold open that brought back Tom Hanks as the character David S. Pumpkins alongside James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump. Trump gave former White House press secretary Katie Zacharia, played by Veronika Slowikowska, the show's opening line.
Why it matters
The episode returned the show from a two-week hiatus and arrived days before the midterm elections, which are scheduled for Tuesday, November 3. Sketches tied to political figures can draw attention during an election period.
The broadcast was Episode 4 of Season 52, returning after a two-week hiatus and airing three days before the midterm elections. Viewership figures for the episode were not reported in the source material.
The players
Saturday Night Live
A long-running NBC sketch comedy series known for topical satire of political figures and celebrities.
Tom Hanks
An Academy Award-winning actor who returned to the show to reprise his David S. Pumpkins character.
James Austin Johnson
A cast member of Saturday Night Live known for his impersonation of Donald Trump.
The details
Inde Navarrette hosted the episode, and Gracie Abrams performed as the musical guest. The cold open featured Hanks reprising his Pumpkins character alongside Johnson's Trump impression.
Timeline
October 31, 2026: Halloween episode and cold open aired
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Midterm elections scheduled
Holiday Music
The episode follows the long-running Saturday Night Live practice of using cold opens to satirize political figures in the weeks before a national election. Its Halloween timing also places it within the show's seasonal programming tradition.
Viewers can watch Saturday Night Live's broadcasts on NBC during its scheduled airings. The episode aired on October 31, and the source material does not list streaming or replay details.
The takeaway
Seasonal episodes that pair holiday themes with election-season satire show how comedy programming reaches audiences during high-attention political periods.
What happens next
The midterm elections are scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more Holiday Music coverage from across the United States.
