James Austin Johnson has recently shared insights into his experience of portraying former President Donald Trump on the long-running sketch show Saturday Night Live (SNL). This discussion took place during a question and answer session at the Tribeca Film Festival, where he was promoting a documentary titled Playing POTUS.
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Johnson, who has taken over the role from Alec Baldwin, has been embodying Trump since 2021. He remarked that his portrayal often resembles an exercise in futility, describing it as a “game of Operation.” He expressed concerns about portraying a leader who he feels is all too willing to attack individual citizens and disrupt their lives.
Reflecting on the unique nature of his role, Johnson remarked that he had never anticipated that he would be imitating Trump while he was in office. He assumed he would be taking on the persona of Trump as a “gibbering lunatic” rather than the actual sitting president. His performance seeks to capture the bizarre and chaotic essence of Trump’s public persona.
During the panel, Johnson elaborated on the challenges he faces while trying to simulate Trump’s speech patterns, idiosyncrasies, and public demeanour. He admitted that taking on such a character can induce a certain level of anxiety. “Do I worry about the unpredictable man who wields significant power? Absolutely. I hope my name never comes out of his mouth,” Johnson said, highlighting the sense of unease that comes from impersonating a figure with such influence.
He recounted a moment of tension when Trump seemingly referenced him during a rally while criticising Baldwin’s prior portrayal of him. Johnson recalled, “He was talking about Alec and said, ‘There’s a new guy doing it now, but we don’t watch the show. I don’t know his name.’” Such moments reinforce the reality of performing a live caricature of a person who has a direct platform for retaliation.
With Trump’s return to political relevance, Johnson noted that the landscape for comedy and satirical impersonations is both challenging and novel. He believes that the current political climate requires comedians to handle their roles thoughtfully. “All of comedy is engaged in a bit of a game of operation right now. We haven’t encountered a president who is so willing to take aim at private individuals,” he said.
When discussing his interpretation compared to Baldwin’s, he stated, “I lean into his charm a bit more.” Johnson observed that Trump has a peculiar humour that can be both intended and unintended, which he finds adds a layer of complexity to the impersonation. “He’s inherently a funny person, and that’s powerful, even if it’s not what you want to see in a leader,” he added, making it clear that while he injects humour into the role, his feelings towards Trump are more critical.
Despite his five-year journey in the role, Johnson continues to experience surprises and challenges in portraying Trump. “I never imagined I would play Donald Trump as president on SNL,” he confessed. “I thought I would be mimicking him as a side character, yet here I am, still at it.” His commitment reflects not only an understanding of Trump’s character but also a dedication to the cultural dialogue surrounding his presidency.
Johnson concluded his reflections by emphasising the importance of his role within the media landscape. “It feels like a significant privilege to be in a position to comment on Donald Trump and hopefully provide fresh perspectives on his legacy,” he remarked, underscoring the impact of satire in today’s political atmosphere.
As he continues his portrayal, Johnson remains acutely aware of the responsibilities that come with impersonating such a polarising figure, striving to balance entertainment with a thoughtful critique of contemporary politics.