Mulaney Mocks Kennedy in SNL Monologue

John Mulaney opened his Saturday Night Live monologue by impersonating Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Updated on Nov. 15, 2026 in Comedy

Empty television comedy stage with a vintage microphone stand under warm theatrical spotlights and faint haze, set against a teal curtain. — Comedian John Mulaney opened his Saturday Night Live monologue on Saturday by impersonating HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and mocking his scientific and vaccine positions. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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John Mulaney impersonated Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the start of his Saturday Night Live monologue, broadcast the week of November 15, 2026. The bit targeted Kennedy's scientific ideas and vaccine positions, along with references to his environmental law career.

Why it matters

Late-night sketch comedy remains a platform where political figures are lampooned, and the monologue places a sitting cabinet official's health policy positions in front of a broad television audience. It also shows how comedians draw material from a public official's past work and personal history.

The monologue aired as part of the Saturday Night Live broadcast the week of November 15, 2026, but no ratings or viewership numbers were reported in the source material. Audience reach and comparison to prior episodes remain unclear.

The players

John Mulaney

John Mulaney is a comedian and writer known for stand-up specials and his work on television sketch comedy.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is an environmental lawyer and former presidential candidate who serves as secretary of Health and Human Services.

The details

Mulaney opened the monologue by impersonating Kennedy, then delivered jokes about his scientific ideas and vaccine positions. He also referenced Kennedy's environmental law career and described performing comedy at fundraisers for Kennedy's Riverkeeper organization.

Saturday Night Live monologue aired the week of November 15, 2026.

Comedy Tradition

Saturday Night Live has a documented history of opening its broadcasts with political impersonations, and Mulaney's Kennedy bit continues that tradition. The segment places a sitting cabinet secretary within a format that has lampooned officeholders across several decades.

The monologue is viewable through Saturday Night Live's broadcast and related clips distributed on television and streaming platforms. Viewers can watch the segment on their preferred platform where the episode is available.

The takeaway

Political comedy often reflects how public figures are perceived and discussed in mainstream culture. Viewers interested in the topic can compare how different comedians handle the same officials over time.