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Matt Damon just brought the laughs last night as Brett Kavanaugh walked into a bar. The SNL cold open aired on May 9, 2026, featuring a sketch so absurd it left viewers in stitches. This wasn’t just any bar scene, though, packed with political figures who faced serious past allegations.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Host: Matt Damon returned to SNL for his third hosting stint, playing Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh
- Date: The cold open aired on May 9, 2026, making it the season’s most talked-about political sketch
- Cast: Colin Jost as Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Aziz Ansari as FBI Director Kash Patel
- Punchline: The trio revealed plans to “let Trump do a third term,” with Kavanaugh claiming the Constitution had a hidden message
Matt Damon Returns for Iconic Kavanaugh Impression
Matt Damon is one of SNL‘s most recognizable recurring performers. As Kavanaugh, he burst into the bar scene holding a gavel and wearing his justice robes. His comedic timing delivered instant laughs throughout the entire cold open segment.
This marked the three-timeDamon‘s return to the legendary stage after multiple previous appearances. His impression of Kavanaugh has become so beloved that audiences immediately recognize it. Damon expertly nailed every detail of the Supreme Court justice, from perfect mannerisms to spot-on delivery.
SNL Brett Kavanaugh sketch: Matt Damon returns for bar scene with Hegseth and Patel
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The Bar Scene Sets Up Political Comedy Gold
The sketch opened with the trio sitting at a Washington, D.C. bar, a setup that promised pure comedic chaos. Hegseth and Patel took turns ordering drinks while sharing questionable anecdotes. Each character referenced past controversies in surprisingly clever ways.
Kavanaugh presented Hegseth with a drawing of a new voting district, which was immediately revealed as an actual field sobriety test. The absurdity had the audience roaring with laughter. Ansari‘s Patel rounded out the trio with perfectly timed reactions.
How the Sketch Mocked Drinking and Allegations
| Character | Actor | Reference |
| Brett Kavanaugh | Matt Damon | Supreme Court Justice |
| Pete Hegseth | Colin Jost | Secretary of War |
| Kash Patel | Aziz Ansari | FBI Director |
SNL made bold commentary on past controversies surrounding alcohol. The three figures at the center of this sketch have all faced allegations and discussions about past transgressions. The show cleverly highlighted this through comedic drinking references throughout the scene.
Newsweek noted that SNL directly mocked the drinking behaviors of these three prominent political figures. The writers crafted jokes that felt sharp without being gratuitously mean, balancing satire with entertainment.
The Trump Third Term Secret Steals the Show
“We’re gonna let Trump do a third term”
— Matt Damon, as Brett Kavanaugh, in the SNL cold open
The climax came when Damon‘s Kavanaugh asked his drinking buddies, “Can I tell you guys a secret?” What followed was comedy dynamite. He revealed that the trio planned to “let Trump do a third term,” explaining that Trump found the original Constitution and wrote “Psych!” at the end.
When Jost‘s Hegseth objected that a third term was unconstitutional, Damon simply replied, “Yeah, it was.” This callback humor elevated the sketch from simple political satire to something genuinely clever.
Will SNL Continue This Winning Political Comedy Formula?
The May 9, 2026 episode proved that SNL still masters political sketches when given the right cast. Damon‘s performance demonstrated why he remains one of the show’s most requested hosts. The energy between Jost, Ansari, and Damon felt perfectly natural and hilarious.
Will the show find fresh angles for future political comedy, or has this bar scene set the new standard? Audiences left wanting more—that’s the sign of sketch comedy done right. SNL proved once again that great casting plus sharp writing equals viral moments.
Sources
- NBC Insider – Official SNL footage and coverage of the May 9 Kavanaugh, Hegseth, and Patel cold open
- USA Today – Feature article on Matt Damon reviving his Brett Kavanaugh impression and the Trump third-term reveal
- The New York Times – Detailed review and analysis of the bar scene sketch with political context
