Conservative viewers lashed out after the long running sketch comedy show aired a politically charged cold open mocking President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amid rising gas prices and escalating tensions with Iran. The segment featured a family struggling at a gas pump before a Trump impersonator joked about broken campaign promises, soaring fuel costs and a falling stock market. A punchline comparing Iran to ballet and opera drew audible groans from the studio audience, fueling criticism online.

Later in the sketch, a cast member portraying Hegseth emerged from a car surrounded by empty beer cans and delivered a rambling mock press briefing. The character blamed the media for negative portrayals, joked about military strikes and alcohol use, and made light of threats to oil shipping routes. The portrayal prompted backlash from viewers who accused the show of bias and of downplaying complex geopolitical realities.

Critics on social media called the segment unfunny and politically one sided, with some arguing the show failed to scrutinize previous administrations over similar issues. Others defended Trump’s foreign policy and questioned the focus on gas prices. The episode, hosted by Harry Styles, is part of a recent run of sketches centered on the Iran conflict as fuel prices climb amid Middle East tensions.