Sen.-elect James Talarico of Texas made a cameo on Saturday Night Live over the weekend, days after his historic win in the Lone Star State in Tuesday's midterm elections.
The Democrat appeared in the episode's "Post-Midterm Cold Open," which opened with cast members Sarah Sherman and Kenan Thompson portraying Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York and Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York. The two were celebrating the Democratic Party's strong election night, in which the caucus secured definitive control of both the House and the Senate.
The celebration was interrupted by James Austin Johnson's portrayal of President Trump, who bemoaned the GOP's losses during the cycle. Near the end of his monologue, the parody president invoked Trump's nickname for Texas's incoming senator: "Talafreako."
Talarico then walked onstage from the wings, joking that he was "the guy who's been texting you every day asking for $5." When the Trump character replied that no one could be blamed in this economy, Talarico struck a more earnest note.
"But I think, Mr. President, if we can work together, we can make life better for everyday Americans," Talarico said. "It's clear people want something new. They want something different. I'm talking, of course, about SNL's cold opens."
The sketch also featured parodied cameos from Vice President Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and included a reference to efforts in the House to impeach the Pentagon chief.
Beyond the comedy, Talarico has spoken openly on the campaign trail about his willingness to work with Trump and the MAGA movement, pointing to expanding health care access, building new homes and slashing red tape as areas of potential agreement.
In an interview with The Diary of a CEO, Talarico said there was "still time to do that" during the final two years of Trump's second term, on a bipartisan basis. "So my hope is that this midterm will be a wake-up call for the president, for his administration, and as a result, they will reverse course," he added.
As of Sunday, Talarico led Paxton by roughly 12 points with more than 95 percent of ballots counted, according to Decision Desk HQ, a partner of The Hill. The result marks a surprise Democratic pickup in a state long considered a Republican stronghold.
