James Austin Johnson’s Trump Steals the Spotlight on Saturday Night Live
NEW YORK, NY — Since joining Saturday Night Live (SNL) in 2021, James Austin Johnson has emerged as a standout cast member, largely thanks to his eerily accurate and hilariously unhinged portrayal of former President Donald J. Trump. With a blend of mimicry and improvisation, Johnson’s Trump has become a centerpiece of the show’s political satire—especially as the real-life Trump barrels toward another presidential campaign in 2024.
What sets Johnson apart from previous Trump impersonators, including Alec Baldwin, is his deep understanding of the former president’s linguistic rhythms. He doesn’t just do the voice—he replicates the thought process, the non sequiturs, the spiraling tangents, and the surreal stream-of-consciousness that have come to define Trump’s public speaking style. It’s less of a caricature and more of a comedic character study.
In recent SNL episodes, Johnson’s Trump has been featured in multiple cold opens addressing everything from campaign rallies and legal troubles to bizarre executive orders and economic policies. One especially memorable sketch featured Trump announcing a plan for sweeping tariffs, leading to economic fears and the comedic punchline of a new slogan: “Make America Great Depression Again.” In another bit, Johnson’s Trump issued a slew of absurd executive orders from behind a desk that seemed more interested in vengeance and vanity than governance.
Beyond the writing, what makes these performances land so well is Johnson’s physicality and cadence—his ability to embody Trump’s posture, facial expressions, and unpredictably shifting tone. The performance isn’t just funny; it’s often eerily realistic.
Johnson’s Trump also interacts with other political figures portrayed by castmates or guest stars, adding a layer of ensemble comedy. Whether riffing with a bumbling Mike Pence, a panicked Rudy Giuliani, or a deadpan Joe Biden, Johnson often drives the momentum of the sketch with unscripted-sounding tangents that somehow always circle back to Trump himself.
The timing of this portrayal is notable. With Trump actively campaigning and continuing to dominate news cycles, SNL’s recurring use of Johnson’s impression not only brings levity to a divided political climate but also provides audiences with an outlet for processing the often surreal state of American politics.
As the 2024 election nears and Trump’s presence in the media escalates, Johnson’s portrayal is expected to become even more prominent. With audiences responding positively to the nuanced and absurdist take, he may well go down as one of the most definitive Trump impersonators in SNL history.
