‘SNL’s James Austin Johnson On “Sustainable” Donald Trump Impression As ‘Playing POTUS’ Doc Premieres At Tribeca

Article excerpt

At the Tribeca Festival, SNL's James Austin Johnson discussed his widely praised Donald Trump impression while promoting his documentary 'Playing POTUS.' Johnson explained that his portrayal works best when improvised, deliberately maintaining audience uncertainty about what he'll say next, a quality he considers essential to capturing Trump's unpredictability. The performer described his approach as 'sustainable,' suggesting he's found a way to keep the impression fresh despite performing it regularly on the show.