Full Breakdown
SNL Sketch Pitch Foreshadows Pentagon Prayer Gaffe
5/17/2026, 12:26:05 PM
Core Event: Defense Secretary Recites Pulp Fiction-Inspired Verse
In April 2026, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered a prayer at a Pentagon worship service that closely mirrored the fictional Ezekiel 25:17 monologue spoken by Samuel L. Jackson’s character in Quentin Tarantino’s film *Pulp Fiction*. Hegseth labeled the passage “CSAR 25:17,” citing the call sign “Sandy 1” and framing it as a customary prayer for Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) missions.
Background & Context: SNL Cold-Open Pitch and Rejection
During the 2025-2026 season of *Saturday Night Live* (SNL), cast member Colin Jost proposed a cold-open in which his recurring impersonation of Hegseth would recite the same fictional verse. Jost described the idea as “Would it be funny if Hegseth just did that Bible verse that they have in ‘Pulp Fiction’ … from Ezekiel, Samuel L. Jackson?” Writers rejected the pitch as “too ridiculous” and “would take up all this time in the cold open.”
Timeline of the Idea and Real-World Occurrence
- February 2026 (approx.) – Jost and SNL writers discuss the cold-open concept in the writers’ room.
- April 2026 – Hegseth recites the Pulp Fiction-style prayer at a Pentagon prayer service, referring to it as “CSAR 25:17.”
- May 2026 – Jost appears on *The Tonight Show* with Jimmy Fallon and reveals the rejected sketch had anticipated the real-world incident.
Key Figures
- Colin Jost – SNL cast member and Weekend Update co-anchor, creator of the rejected sketch.
- Pete Hegseth – U.S. Secretary of Defense, author of the “CSAR 25:17” prayer.
- Sean Parnell – Pentagon spokesperson who defended the prayer’s usage.
- Quentin Tarantino – Director of *Pulp Fiction*, source of the fictional verse.
- Samuel L. Jackson – Actor whose character Jules Winnfield delivers the original monologue.
Official Statements & Responses
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell asserted that the prayer “was used by military personnel in a real rescue operation and reflected both *Pulp Fiction* dialogue and Ezekiel 25:17.” Hegseth described the passage as “commonplace in military circles” and linked it to CSAR missions.
Criticism & Opposition
Commentators labeled the prayer a “violent interpretation of scripture” and questioned the appropriateness of referencing a Hollywood film in an official military setting. The incident sparked debate over the blending of popular culture with formal religious observances in the armed forces.
On-the-Ground Reactions
The prayer quickly became a viral moment, with social-media users and news outlets describing Hegseth’s delivery as “widely mocked.” Coverage highlighted the striking similarity to the *Pulp Fiction* monologue and noted public surprise at the overlap with Jost’s earlier sketch idea.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact naming of the prayer: some refer to it as “CSAR 25:17,” others as “CSAR 25:17 prayer.” The wording of the recited passage varies slightly across reports, with minor discrepancies such as “downed aviator” versus “righteous man.” No independent verification of the prayer’s prior use in military contexts is provided.
Verbatim Quotes
- “And then he for real did it, like two weeks later and I was like, ‘Well, the good news is, I’m being surveilled, so that’s a relief.’” — Colin Jost, SNL cast member.
- “Would it be funny if Hegseth just did that Bible verse that they have in ‘Pulp Fiction’ Remember, from Ezekiel, Samuel L. Jackson?” — Colin Jost, SNL cast member.
- “The path of the downed aviator is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of camaraderie and duty shepherds the lost through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to capture and destroy my brother, and you will know my call sign is Sandy 1 when I lay my vengeance upon thee. Amen.” — Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of Defense.
- “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.” — Sean Parnell, Pentagon spokesperson.
- “We were pitching, we were talking in the writers’ room, we were pitching ideas for one of the cold opens, like, two months ago,” — Colin Jost, SNL cast member.
What’s Next
Pentagon officials indicate that the “CSAR 25:17” prayer may continue to be employed in future rescue-mission briefings. SNL has not announced a revised sketch, but the episode’s back-story suggests ongoing scrutiny of the intersection between political satire and real-world events.
