SNLCasts Its Tim Walz, J.D. Vance, Doug Emhoff and Other Election Figures: Meet the 2024 Candidates

Mar. 15, 2025

‘SNL’ cast member James Austin Johnson returns as Donald Trump for the 2024 election season.Photo: Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

With each presidential election comes a pressing question: Who will portray the political candidates onSaturday Night Live?Through its many decades on the air, the NBC show has become renowned for its segments featuring cast members and celebrity guest stars impersonating prominent politicians and humorously poking fun at those in power.We’ve seen it all — whether it’sTina Fey’s beloved portrayal of former Alaska Gov.Sarah Palin,Larry David’s uncanny resemblance to Vermont Sen.Bernie Sanders, orWill Ferrell’s unforgettable performance as former PresidentGeorge W. Bush. WithSNL’s 50th season upon us, the show is entering a new election era, especially with a host of political drama and new key players on the horizon.Here are theSNLcast members and guest stars who will be taking on the role of campaigners during the 2024 election season. Some other possible characters — likeMelania Trump,Robert F. Kennedy Jr.andthe Emhoff kids— have not yet appeared in sketches, but could still be coming between now and Election Day.

With each presidential election comes a pressing question: Who will portray the political candidates onSaturday Night Live?

Through its many decades on the air, the NBC show has become renowned for its segments featuring cast members and celebrity guest stars impersonating prominent politicians and humorously poking fun at those in power.

We’ve seen it all — whether it’sTina Fey’s beloved portrayal of former Alaska Gov.Sarah Palin,Larry David’s uncanny resemblance to Vermont Sen.Bernie Sanders, orWill Ferrell’s unforgettable performance as former PresidentGeorge W. Bush. WithSNL’s 50th season upon us, the show is entering a new election era, especially with a host of political drama and new key players on the horizon.

Here are theSNLcast members and guest stars who will be taking on the role of campaigners during the 2024 election season. Some other possible characters — likeMelania Trump,Robert F. Kennedy Jr.andthe Emhoff kids— have not yet appeared in sketches, but could still be coming between now and Election Day.

01of 06Maya Rudolph as Kamala HarrisMaya Rudolph (in character on the left) previously played Kamala Harris during the 2020 election cycle.Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty; Alexander Tamargo/Getty

01of 06

Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris

Maya Rudolph (in character on the left) previously played Kamala Harris during the 2020 election cycle.Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty; Alexander Tamargo/Getty

Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty; Alexander Tamargo/Getty

02of 06James Austin Johnson as Donald TrumpJames Austin Johnson (in character on the left) has been praised for his many impersonations of Donald Trump.Will Heath/NBC via Getty; Brandon Bell/Getty

02of 06

James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump

James Austin Johnson (in character on the left) has been praised for his many impersonations of Donald Trump.Will Heath/NBC via Getty; Brandon Bell/Getty

Will Heath/NBC via Getty; Brandon Bell/Getty

03of 06Jim Gaffigan as Tim WalzJim Gaffigan (in character on the left) was picked to play Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz after Steve Martin declined.NBC; Paul Morigi/Getty

03of 06

Jim Gaffigan as Tim Walz

Jim Gaffigan (in character on the left) was picked to play Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz after Steve Martin declined.NBC; Paul Morigi/Getty

NBC; Paul Morigi/Getty

04of 06Bowen Yang as J.D. VanceBowen Yang (in character on the left) was a surprise pick to play Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance.NBC; Bill Pugliano/Getty

04of 06

Bowen Yang as J.D. Vance

Bowen Yang (in character on the left) was a surprise pick to play Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance.NBC; Bill Pugliano/Getty

NBC; Bill Pugliano/Getty

05of 06

Dana Carvey as Joe Biden

NBC; Andrew Leyden/NurPhoto via Getty

06of 06Andy Samberg as Doug EmhoffAndy Samberg (in character on left) now plays second gentleman Doug Emhoff, a role previously given to Martin Short.NBC; Kent Nishimura/Getty

06of 06

Andy Samberg as Doug Emhoff

Andy Samberg (in character on left) now plays second gentleman Doug Emhoff, a role previously given to Martin Short.NBC; Kent Nishimura/Getty

NBC; Kent Nishimura/Getty

source: people.com