Senator-elect James Talarico made a surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live in New York City, joining the programme’s cold open just days after being elected to the Senate in Texas during the midterm elections.
The 37-year-old politician appeared towards the end of a sketch in which James Austin Johnson, playing Donald Trump, was discussing the election results and referring to a “blue tsunami”.
Johnson’s character mentioned Talarico as “Talafreako” before Talarico walked on stage and stopped in front of him, prompting loud cheers from the audience.
“Hi, America. I’m James Talarico, the guy whose been texting you every day asking for $5,” he said.
He then added: “But I think, Mr President, if we can work together, we can make life better for everyday Americans.”
Talarico continued by saying that voters wanted “something new” and “something different”, before turning his attention to the programme itself.
“I’m talking, of course, about SNL’s cold opens. How many of these Trump freezes are they gonna do?” he asked.
“Infinity,” Johnson replied in character.
Talarico also delivered the programme’s iconic closing introduction: “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night.”
