Show summary Hide summary
Colin Jost shocked fans when he revealed a rejected SNL sketch idea about Pete Hegseth actually became real life just two weeks later. The Saturday Night Live writer pitched a joke that the Defense Secretary would never do, only to watch it unfold in reality.
🔥 Quick Facts
- The Pitch: Colin Jost suggested a skit with Hegseth quoting Pulp Fiction fake Bible verse
- The Rejection: SNL writers deemed the idea “too ridiculous” for the cold open
- The Reality: Pete Hegseth actually recited the verse two weeks later at the Pentagon
- The Reveal: Jost shared the story on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on May 15, 2026
The Rejected Sketch Idea That Became Reality
During his appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Colin Jost revealed he had pitched a sketch about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth quoting a famous Pulp Fiction passage. The 43-year-old SNL cast member explained that SNL writers rejected the concept as far too outlandish for network television.
“We were pitching ideas for cold opens, like, two months ago,” Jost explained. He suggested having his Hegseth parody recite the fictional Ezekiel 25:17 verse from Quentin Tarantino’s classic 1994 film. The writers immediately shut it down, saying it would be “too ridiculous.”
Colin Jost reveals rejected SNL sketch about Hegseth that came true weeks later
5 Below launches Golden Ticket Dumpling event today at all stores nationwide
How Pentagon Pete Made Fiction Reality
The stunning part came weeks later when Defense Secretary Hegseth actually delivered the fake Bible passage at a real Pentagon prayer meeting in April 2026. Hegseth called it the CSAR 25:17 prayer, claiming it reflected Ezekiel 25:17 while being inspired by the film.
“And then he for real did it like two weeks later,” Jost said, visibly astonished. The 45-year-old military chief recited nearly identical wording from Samuel L. Jackson’s iconic character in the movie, replacing Jackson’s original passage with military-themed words.
The Pulp Fiction Bible Verse Breakdown
| Source | Key Content |
| Pulp Fiction Original | “The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities…” |
| Hegseth’s Pentagon Version | “The path of the downed aviator is beset on all sides by iniquities…” |
| Real Ezekiel 25:17 | Short biblical passage about vengeance and judgment |
| Context | Prayer for military rescue mission (Sandy One) |
“We talked about it, and we were like, that would be too ridiculous, and it would take up all this time in a cold open. And then he for real did it like two weeks later!”
— Colin Jost, SNL Cast Member and Weekend Update Co-Host
Jost’s Hegseth Impressions Have Become SNL Staple
Colin Jost’s satirical portrayal of Defense Secretary Hegseth has become a recurring feature on Saturday Night Live during the Trump administration. The Weekend Update co-host regularly lampoons Hegseth’s aggressive demeanor, military bravado, and controversial behavior.
One recent sketch featured Matt Damon as Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Aziz Ansari as FBI Director Kash Patel, with all three characters hanging out in a bar setting. Jost joked that watching the real Hegseth act out his fictional sketch was like saying “the good news is I’m being surveilled.”
Why Did This Sketch Idea Get Rejected?
The sketch was reportedly rejected because SNL writers felt it crossed into absurdity territory. Having the Defense Secretary recite an extended fake Bible verse from a movie seemed too outlandish and would waste valuable cold open time. What made the situation unbelievable was that reality proved the sketch writers wrong within weeks.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell later defended Hegseth’s remarks, stating the CSAR prayer was used by military personnel in a real rescue operation and reflected both Pulp Fiction dialogue and Ezekiel 25:17. The incident sparked widespread debate about the appropriateness of Hollywood references in official military settings.
