Alec Baldwin and Dana Carvey Discuss Impersonating Biden, Bush and Trump

Dana Carvey and Alec Baldwin reflect on the long tradition of presidential impersonation in American comedy in the new documentary “Playing POTUS,” which premiered at the Tribeca Festival. The film examines how comedians on “Saturday Night Live” and beyond have shaped public perceptions of presidents by exaggerating their mannerisms, voices, and personalities. Carvey, known for his memorable portrayals of George H.W. Bush and Joe Biden, says he tries to make impressions funny without being cruel. He recalls that Bush embraced the impression and even called him at home, while his Biden imitation aimed to capture the president’s verbal detours in a way that felt affectionate rather than harsh.

Baldwin, who famously played Donald Trump on “SNL,” says he wanted to portray Trump as “two-dimensional” and morally unappealing, based on his own observations of Trump in New York before he entered politics. He describes Trump as a man who always seemed to perform for the camera but rarely engaged in real personal interaction. Baldwin says he studied footage of Trump with the sound off to focus on posture, gestures, and movement, then built the character from those physical traits.

Directed by Josh Greenbaum, “Playing POTUS” argues that mocking presidents is an important part of a healthy democracy and a form of speaking truth to power. Greenbaum warns that political satire faces pressure in the current media environment, pointing to late-night cancellation battles as examples of how comedy can come under fire. The film includes interviews with major impressionists such as Chevy Chase, Maya Rudolph, and Will Ferrell, each of whom brought their own spin to presidents and vice presidents and, in some cases, helped shape wider public opinion.

Greenbaum suggests that these performances often become more memorable than the politicians themselves, turning sketches into lasting cultural reference points. He says that for many Americans, the image of George H.W. Bush is now inseparable from Carvey’s version of him. The documentary explores how carefully crafted comedy can influence politics, entertainment, and public memory.

Carvey says it took years of repeated performances to perfect his Bush impression, while Baldwin compares Trump’s mannerisms to iconic film and stage figures. Both comedians emphasize that presidential satire works best when it combines observation, restraint, and exaggeration. The film ultimately presents impersonation as both an art form and a civic act, one that reflects the freedom to criticize authority in public life.