SNL Cold Open Roasts Ousted AG Pam Bondi

Newly-fired Attorney General mocked for 'freckle-chested dragon lady' exit

Apr. 5, 2026 at 12:09pm

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In a blistering cold open to Saturday Night Live, newly-ousted Attorney General Pam Bondi, portrayed by Ashley Padilla, was brought on for the last 90 seconds of a sketch lampooning the CBS/TNT March Madness studio show crew. SNL's Kenan Thompson as Charles Barkley delivered a scathing parting shot, calling Bondi a 'freckle-chested dragon lady' who was 'turrible' as AG. Bondi then crashed the sketch to defend herself, proudly declaring she 'shattered that glass exit door' as the first woman ever fired from the role.

Why it matters

Bondi's ouster as Florida's Attorney General was a high-profile political event, with her combative and controversial tenure drawing both praise and criticism. SNL's cold open sketch reflects the ongoing public scrutiny and satirization of Bondi's time in office and her dramatic departure.

The details

In the sketch, Barkley's Barkley character delivered a blistering assessment of Bondi's time as AG, saying 'As Attorney General, Pam Bondi was — I don't say this often — turrible.' Padilla's Bondi then crashed the set to defend herself, proudly declaring she 'shattered that glass exit door' as the first woman ever fired from the role. Bondi also lamented that her headshot was 'thrown in the trash like it was the Epstein files.'

  • Pam Bondi was recently ousted from her role as Florida Attorney General.

The players

Pam Bondi

The recently-ousted Attorney General of Florida, known for her combative and controversial tenure in office.

Ashley Padilla

The SNL cast member who portrayed Pam Bondi in the cold open sketch.

Kenan Thompson

The SNL cast member who portrayed Charles Barkley in the March Madness studio show parody.

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What they’re saying

“'As Attorney General, Pam Bondi was — I don't say this often — turrible. It is a shame when somebody gets fired. But we should all be glad that freckle-chested dragon lady is gone.'”

— Kenan Thompson, as Charles Barkley

“'I'm sorry, Charles, but I can't let the lies you said about me go unanswered. The truth is, I was amazing at my job. I am proud to say I made history as the first woman ever to be fired as Attorney General. I shattered that glass exit door!'”

— Ashley Padilla, as Pam Bondi

“'They threw my headshot in the trash like it was the Epstein files!'”

— Ashley Padilla, as Pam Bondi

What’s next

It remains to be seen if Pam Bondi will make any further public comments or take legal action in response to her portrayal on SNL.

The takeaway

Pam Bondi's dramatic ouster as Florida Attorney General continues to be a source of public fascination and satirical commentary, with SNL's cold open sketch reflecting the ongoing scrutiny and controversy surrounding her tenure and departure from office.