At the Tribeca Festival, Saturday Night Live cast member James Austin Johnson discussed his widely praised Donald Trump impression and why he often improvises in character to capture Trump’s unpredictable style. After the world premiere of Josh Greenbaum’s documentary Playing POTUS, Johnson said the performance works best when audiences feel uncertain about what Trump might say next, adding that he throws in new material to make the impression feel alive.
The documentary examines how comedians portray presidents and political leaders, and how those performances shape public perception. The conversation around the film comes at a time when late-night comedy is facing political pressure, including criticism from Donald Trump and the recent end of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. Johnson joked during the Q&A that he hopes Trump never mentions his name publicly, though he recalled one rally where Trump appeared to reference him indirectly after talking about Alec Baldwin and the newer Trump performer on SNL.
Johnson said he aims to create a version of Trump that is sustainable over time, describing comedy as a kind of balancing act. He suggested that political impressionists are constantly navigating how far to push satire while still making it believable and effective.
Playing POTUS, based on Peter Funt’s book of the same name, features a wide range of comedians and SNL alumni who have played presidents and political figures, including Chevy Chase, Dana Carvey, Will Ferrell, Maya Rudolph, Keegan-Michael Key, Alec Baldwin, Kate McKinnon, Tina Fey and others. After the screening, Johnson joined Greenbaum, former SNL writers Robert Smigel and Jim Downey for a discussion about the impact of political impersonation.
Greenbaum said these impressions matter more than ever as audiences increasingly rely on comedy and entertainment instead of traditional news. He argued that comedians now play a more powerful role in shaping public understanding of political figures. The film also touches on the international consequences of political jokes, including how Winnie the Pooh became banned in China after comparisons were made between the character and Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, when Xi was photographed walking alongside then-U.S. President Barack Obama.
Greenbaum said he hopes the documentary serves as a reminder that satirists and political comedians are valuable voices worth protecting, especially in a climate where their influence is growing. The screening highlighted both the cultural reach of presidential impressions and the risks that come with mocking powerful leaders.
