'Comedic gold': Internet in stitches as 'SNL' shows Trump shortlisting Hannibal Lecter as VP pick
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: ‘Saturday Night Live’ began its season finale by mocking Donald Trump over his ongoing legal woes amid his campaign to become the president once again.
James Austin Johnson played the role of Trump for SNL's cold open as he appeared outside Manhattan Criminal Court, where the former president’s hush-money trial is happening, HuffPost reported.
James Austin Johnson makes fun of Trump’s court appearances
Aistin as Trump began, “I don’t like being in court because they say very mean things about me as I’m trying to sleep,” referring to reports that claimed Trump was found sleeping in court several times.
Later during the show, Johnson’s Trump shifted his focus toward his potential picks for the position of vice president.
“I have invited a few names from my short bus ― I mean shortlist ― to come to court and do a little dance for me,” he shared as the audience could see Representative Tim Scott, played by Devon Walker, and Governor Kristi Noem, played by Heidi Gardner, on the stage.
James Austin Johnson mocks potential VP candidates
The comedian noted, “They’re supposed to be running the country, but instead they’re sitting in porn court hoping I’ll smile at them.”
Johnson’s Trump also mentioned fictional serial killer Hannibal Lecter as his choice for VP.
He said, “And finally, my last and favorite choice is a man I can’t stop talking about in my rallies. It’s the late great Hannibal Lecter.”
The skit showed Michael Longfellow as Lecter.
“There he is, I keep calling him late, great even though he’s not dead, he’s not great and he’s not real, but I think you’d really scare everybody at the border right?” Johnson added.
Also, while concluding his skit, Johnson’s Trump asserted, “Finally, just remember: If you’re tired about hearing about all of my trials, all you gotta do is vote for me, and it’ll all go away.”
Donald Trump lauded Hannibal Lecter
The 34-year-old actor’s mockery of Trump happened nearly a week after the ex-commander-in-chief reportedly hailed Lecter during a rally in Wildwood, New Jersey.
While slamming migrants, he said, “Has anyone ever seen ‘The Silence of the Lambs’? The late, great Hannibal Lecter. He’s a wonderful man.”
“He oftentimes would have a friend for dinner. Remember the last scene? ‘Excuse me, I’m about to have a friend for dinner,’ as this poor doctor walked by. ‘I’m about to have a friend for dinner,’” Trump added.
He, however, did not clarify what was his motive behind mentioning Lecter.
James Austin Johnson’s act called ‘astounding’
Meanwhile, Johnson’s Trump was praised widely by people online.
A person on YouTube said, “This has got to be one of the most accurate Trump impressions to date. It's astounding. And done live, no less!”
Another person commented, “We can't ignore how accurate the Tim Scott impression is. and I looove that they included the late great Hannibal lecter. #respect.”
The third person shared, “This impression is actually incredibly good.”
The fourth one wrote, “Just comedic gold. It's gold, Jerry. Emmy for the dude who plays Trump. That guy is brilliant.”
The fifth one added, “The only thing wrong about James’ impression is that he makes too much sense.”
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
