James Austin Johnson Reveals the Secret to a Perfect Trump Impersonation

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James Austin Johnson talks about moving to New York City for Saturday Night Live when his wife was pregnant, his cryptic meetings with Lorne Michaels and how he perfected his Trump impersonation.
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James Austin Johnson Reveals the Secret to a Perfect Trump Impersonation - Late Night with Seth Meyers
• James Austin Johnson R...
Late Night with Seth Meyers
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1 май 2024

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Комментарии : 1,1 тыс.

@Arven501 2 года назад

I could listen to him ramble on as Medieval Trump for hours - that was gold.

@bobwiegers 2 года назад

yes! this needs to be a netflix special. series, actually

@TheBjjninja 2 года назад

His medieval Trump was better than his worldly Trump on last SNL

@b.valentine5283 2 года назад

Me too! I want this to be a real show lol

@bumblebeeswsw 2 года назад

Me too 🤣🤣

@Auguur 2 года назад

Omg, Medieval trump had me rolling!

@TheChupacabra 2 года назад

HOLY MOLEY what a lesson in mimicry. So interesting to see the mechanics of being a master impressionist.

@CottonCandyPops 2 года назад

He could teach at Impression Camp!

@rabbit251 2 года назад

Seth, are you taking notes?

@S.Pociecha 2 года назад

@@CottonCandyPops, one person doing this frighteningly accurate DT is plenty. If they started cropping up all over ... [shudder!]

@tylerlewis6813 2 года назад

@@rabbit251 JAJ learned from Seth!

@zeusmedusa7942 2 года назад

6:49 _and grab them by the puppets_

@masterofallgoons 2 года назад

They have to do an 80s trump vs current Trump sketch .. he's got both voices down perfectly

@cgill914 2 года назад

That would be so good 😂

@eclipsespilce 2 года назад

Yes!

@carolyntalbot947 2 года назад

I mean, it's uncanny!

@timkluntz8362 2 года назад

Maybe they can get Fred Armisen to play Jeffrey Epstein!

@eXpLiiiSiT 2 года назад

@@timkluntz8362 who's playing bill clinton and bill gates?

@sadlystuckinreality 2 года назад

I remember when he did his Trump for the first time on the show I genuinely went 'woah' out loud. It's so spot on that it's scary!

@TheFujiwuji Год назад

It's interesting that SNL keeps picking impersonators that despise Trump... which affects their performance. The best Trump, hands down, was Darrell Hammond. He was truly funny... not like this guy or shitty, angry "impersonator" Alex Baldwin.

@emilytruesdell5969 Год назад

I was thinking during last night's cold open that if I closed my eyes, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference!

@lamarravery4094 Год назад

@@TheFujiwuji What are you talking about? Alec Baldwin was a great Trump impersonator then this guy comes in and he's even better. Trump is a moron and both of them capture him very well.

@imBKCmmk 2 месяца назад

@@TheFujiwujiHaha, you're so salty

@josephiudice8287 2 года назад

"Both current presidents." A beautiful and subtle joke...nice wit.

@pdcdesign9632 2 года назад

Not too many people picked up on that one. The BIG LIE continues 🤨🤥

@TheDjKnockturn 2 года назад

"Only I can get the amulet" is one of the funniest things I have heard in a while. I must have watched that part of the video 10 times. Dying of laughter over here.

@milquest 2 года назад

Hearing Seth giggle uncontrollably at James different Trumps was just too much fun😄

@jamestarrou3685 2 года назад

I feel like Seth Invited him on the show because he really wants to be his friend lol

@ArmyJames 2 года назад

I found his giggling to be very annoying.

@claw1888 2 года назад

@@ArmyJames Fallon too!

@Tessmage_Tessera Год назад

@Bonny Prince Billiam All of them did.

@jpara617 11 месяцев назад

I found it very annoying

@MB57 2 года назад

Hilarious, "ONLY I can get the amulet!"

@johnbod 2 года назад

I need to find the clip of him actually doing this so I can hear the full bit. I need more!

@johnfdm123 2 года назад

That's some masterful impression right there. I'm glad he mentioned that it took him a while to get the voice right. People often ascribe this kind of skill to sheer talent. Talent is a big part of the equation, sure, but the work is what gets you there.

@artbargra 2 года назад

For sure. Talent will only get you so far, but this guy has evidently put some serious effort here.

@lizisasleep 2 года назад

That’s what they always stress in impression camp.

@TheFujiwuji Год назад

@m1l1t1am1ke Год назад

@@TheFujiwuji lmao good luck finding other actors who don't despise Trump. This guy's impression is fantastic you're outta your mind

@TheFujiwuji Год назад

@@m1l1t1am1ke you're joking, right? Best impression of Trump on SNL was Darrell Hammond, by far. Nobody even comes in a close second. He was incredible. And unlike the other Trump impressions, Hammond was actually funny.

@rticle15 2 года назад

This guy has nailed all the little quirks. The tone, speech pattern, and train of thought are all dead on. Best Trump I've seen.

@charlesbronson2926 2 года назад

This dude did fantastic impressions of BOTH Biden and Trump, so impressive!

@mayaaa2695 2 года назад

It’s funny how he does both, will b very difficult getting those characters to appear in the same skit lol

@callmeshaggy5166 2 года назад

@@mayaaa2695 the republicans are too scared to debate live so don't worry, the chance for them to both appear together is slim to none

@samsepiol05590 2 года назад

@@callmeshaggy5166 true that 😂

@firstbaldwin 2 года назад

"come on, man" his Biden "impersonation" SUCKS !!!!!

@samsepiol05590 2 года назад

@@firstbaldwin no it doesn’t

@llkeithh 2 года назад

It's super rare for a new cast member to come in and have a big impact so quickly - usually takes them a while to find their footing, if and when they're able. So congrats to him for pulling that off!

@Omni0404 2 года назад

*sad Pete Davidson noises*

@phriedokra6158 2 года назад

Trump effect...hope it Doesn't hurt him later ...like Brad Parscale

@sarahfuller5482 2 года назад

I feel like Bowen Yang came in swinging.

@lamarravery4094 Год назад

If I can recall, I think it was in the 1990s when all the stars from SNL left the show to do movies and virtually a new team was hired. None of them were any good at the time, but one guy stood out and I knew he was going to be huge...His name, Will Ferrel.

@thesirms 2 года назад

“Only I can get the amulet” LOL

@justin.booth. 2 года назад

Him and Bowen Yang are probably some of the best new hires SNL has had in a while, absolutely stellar from the get-go.

@licandres01 Год назад

Don't forget about Sarah!

@PSUfan93 Месяц назад

Am I watching the same SNL? Bowan is the same character every sketch.

@nedrah3490 Месяц назад

You must be high because Bowan Yang has to be the worst hire ever on snl. He literally offers nothing original or funny to the show, he's just the token gay character in every sketch and somehow even plays that role worse than the straight cast members.

@mon-6416 2 года назад

I think this is the best Trump impression I've heard. He, as mentioned, really captures that throaty sound that Trump has. It's good to hear from new cast members on SNL. This guy has a bright future there!

@Pyrolonn 2 года назад

I'm not so sure he's kind of a one trick pony, once Trump is off the world stage maybe he won't be needed anymore? That said, he is so much better than the caricature that Alec Baldwin did.

@snap-n-shoot Год назад

Check out Jamie Foxes impersonation....very accurate

@TheFujiwuji Год назад

@jeffreym.8957 Год назад

@@TheFujiwuji Just because you love Trump doesn't make your opinion correct. Baldwin captures the ugliness of Trump very well. And Johnson's impersonation is magnificent. Maybe you should stick to Gutfield or whatever that lame guy's name is?

@jeffreym.8957 Год назад

@@TheFujiwuji And Spitting Image has the "Trump look" down the best of all.

@bjv93 2 года назад

That is single handedly the best Trump impression I've ever heard. Dude is miles and miles beyond the rest.

@rdecredico 2 года назад

Check out: Trump the Internet Much more accurate and funnier.

@MistressNilah 2 года назад

Is rdecredico trump the internet's mom? Because that's the only way their opinion makes any sense. You can close your eyes and literally not know if it's Trump or James speaking. That internet fellow sounds like some dude who's maybe the second-best impressionist in the OfficeMax where he works

@rdecredico 2 года назад

@@MistressNilah Hahahahaha Nonsense. Enjoy your Kool-aid, mope.

@MistressNilah 2 года назад

@@rdecredico 🤗

@TaylorTrask Год назад

I was with you until that Jamie Fox impression went virL

@yourmommashouse 2 года назад

He sounds , JUST like trump, best impersonation hands down.

@jenniferfranco1748 2 года назад

Yup

@JP-lu9ed 2 года назад

His voice is perfect and Baldwin had the imposing physicality. Hopefully James can add that for the whole package.

@AndrewStro 2 года назад

Baldwins impression was more of an exaggerated characature, he leaned on extreme expressions. James' impression is great in how he nails the cadence. One thing he could work more into the act is the softer sounding moments like Seth does.

@charlesbronson2926 2 года назад

James does a much better impression, from the perspective of not necessarily trying to hurt the other person’s feelings. I forget where I saw it, but someone said that good impressions cannot come from hating the other person and wanting to hurt them.

@Junksaint 2 года назад

They're both pretty great impressions, I'm sure the orange gets mad at both equally.

@weebjeez 2 года назад

Yeah... I feel like he goes far too gravelly with his light moments.

@bradleyrounds9148 2 года назад

I think Baldwin's impression was just to piss the ex president off

@Charliefox71 2 года назад

@@bradleyrounds9148 It doesn’t take much to piss him off. Trump is notoriously thin skinned

@fdrstan 2 года назад

JAJ is an instant legend. Never seen anyone so comfortable on SNL so quickly.

@TheKillahKyla 2 года назад

Feels like he's been there for several seasons already

@Junksaint 2 года назад

The wizard said it was a great quest, the biggest quest, big beautiful quest

@snoobins4623 2 года назад

Many people are saying.. they say sir.. this is one of the strongest quests in, frankly, in a lot of years folks.

@michaelfrieber 2 года назад

I loved the sound Seth made when James mentioned that NBC used to have a show with Trump.

@user-ms3jz7ub7n 2 года назад

If you close your eyes...it's frigging Trump I swear! Try it! This guy is a comedic genius!

@alterego6075 2 года назад

I believe most of us would prefer the "D&D Trump"...well played!

@lynnstlaurent6789 2 года назад

I love listening to SNL cast members discuss Lorne. I can’t decide if he’s psychotic, genius, kind or all of the above.

@Qermaq 2 года назад

From all I've heard, it's the last ones for sure, but I think (toparaphrase the BBC show Sherlock) he's not a psychopath, he's a high-functioning sociopath.

@clashcitywannabe 2 года назад

He's the literal inspiration for Doctor Evil so make of that what you will

@shenanikenz 2 года назад

They say there’s a thin line between genius and insanity

@hellohello6510 2 года назад

my fav lorne story/bit is this bill hader one about lorne name dropping serial killers: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6Kv-XJ0n9gM.html

@thomasd3146 2 года назад

Michaels is awful. Kills all the good ideas, petty tyrant. All the cast are equivocal about him.

@jdp5606 2 года назад

Rarely do I laugh that hard during the interview.

@millerezra8 Год назад

Dude’s poise and confidence is impressive, he just crushed that interview

@TheCheat420 2 года назад

He is a great addition to the SNL cast. He is a great impressionist.

@drkskwlkr 2 года назад

Talented impressionists (meaning those who can *really* do the voice and mannerisms) don't seem to do well on SNL I am afraid. Impersonator masters like Jay Pharoah, Melissa Villaseñor for example are fiendishly good, yet struggle in sketches. I think this is because the show (and the audience) value more over the top performances for purely satirical purposes. That said, I do hope he will have a long and successful career in SNL. His talent is out of this world. The way he can get into and out of these voices is amazing.

@John_C_J 2 года назад

@@drkskwlkr Melissa has to wait till AOC gets some spotlight to make it into political sketches.

@biegebythesea6775 Год назад

@@drkskwlkr well now things can change.

@podracer35 2 года назад

That switch between 80s Trump and Present Day Trump was unreal.

@embrio. 2 года назад

I don't know why, but I lost it at "Oh! What a glamorous life you lead."

@wgb01001 2 года назад

This guy absolutely rules, he’s incredibly funny, and the crappy studio audience is just dead.

@lizisasleep 2 года назад

Totally. Been following him online for a couple of years now and I always lose it at his Trump rambles.

@illuminatorlumina4694 2 года назад

Yeah they gave him very little encouragement/reception? I wondered if it was a less than full audience. He's uncanny, I can't help but applaud him.

@dvbernard 2 года назад

That was the COVID-era camera-crew-and-stage-hands audience.

@wgb01001 2 года назад

@@dvbernard Aaahhhhhh, ok. Felt like this was too recent to be a Covid skeleton crew.

@dvbernard 2 года назад

@@wgb01001 the video is from January: we were in the middle of Omicron back then.

@G3n3vaL3st3r 2 года назад

We moved from NC to NJ last February. I was 37 weeks pregnant and had 2 weeks notice. My husband is lucky he is still alive! 😂

@rkms5606 2 года назад

Bless you!!!

@patricksullivan6988 2 года назад

James Austin Johnson gives Anthony Atamanuik a run for his money, when it comes to his Trump impression. The two best Trump impersonators in the game, hands down.

@MauiMauiMe 2 года назад

So true! But when Anthony did him on the truck, that was pure gold. Both talented comedians.

@ericminch 2 года назад

Please be careful. Otherwise these two will be kidnapped and forced to impersonate the Twitler when justice finally calls him; one of them will end up incarcerated, while the real villain escapes to South America (or more likely to Russia).

@BbGun-lw5vi 2 года назад

Gumby is right that Johnson is better. Except I would say twice as good is being generous to Anthony. They’re not even close. Johnson sounds exactly like Trump.

@JoshuaWillis89 2 года назад

Johnson’s is better.

@namj8145 2 года назад

They're both great, in slightly different ways. Johnson has the voice and rambling non sequitors down perfectly. Atamanuik has a decent vocal part, but gets more into the twisted psyche behind the image...the nacisssim and conceit, the fear and insecurity. Each one a scary vision of a powerful man.

@digitalrico 2 года назад

This guy deserves his success

@xaviertemple7037 2 года назад

“Character actor beak” 😂

@obsessedfortoys 2 года назад

OK, SNL has to do a recurring skit where Trump has got a time machine, hes going back into history and take over elections from famous people !!! That medieval Trump was absolutely hilarious!! so have him in an election against King Arthur or something like that, it would be brilliant. He has the best trump impersonation I've ever heard😉👍

@JoshuaWillis89 2 года назад

You listening, @snl?

@stevencaseymiller8376 2 года назад

This is a dumb idea.

@pamelamanning99 2 года назад

@@stevencaseymiller8376 This is a GREAT idea. I'd listen to an hour of Medieval Trump.

@michaelmccoy1794 2 года назад

👏 B R I L L I A N T !

@stevencaseymiller8376 2 года назад

@@pamelamanning99 okay, but it's so dumb on so many levels - to name just one, kings aren't elected.

@bikingsamsara 2 года назад

Absolutely the best Trump voice ever - almost eerie. I bet Trump hates it. I love it!

@ErisRising 2 года назад

Already knew he was talented, but he's also almost insanely likeable.

@carouselqueen4946 2 года назад

A master of imitation! He must have attended "IMPRESSIONS CAMP" w/ Mr. Seth Meyers!!!! Applause 👏🏽🙌😆🎭🏕️

@Reem-oo1of 2 года назад

An incredible trump impression

@ArtooX2 2 года назад

James does an awesome 45! I love Seth’s giggling during the Wizard impression!!!!!

@qzuentinwatts6607 2 года назад

“Only I can get the Amulet.” 🤣😂 This is the greatest thing to ever happen. I NEED either NBC or Comedy Central to do a Mid-evil Trump show.

@emsulich 2 года назад

I rarely laugh out loud to these interviews but this guy is hilarious 😂

@robertcarr4172 2 года назад

Holy cow that's the best sounding Trump impression I have ever heard

@garbagearchive 2 года назад

Simply JAW DROPPING Trump Impression

@dianer8004 2 года назад

He is right. His baby is beautiful!

@godnah 2 года назад

Look at James' suit! SMASHING!

@prisonmike4971 2 года назад

His trump is so spot on. I love it.

@wahme Год назад

This guy is incredible.

@2videosilike 2 года назад

This was the funniest, most interesting interview I've seen in quite some time! The very detailed explanation as to how he got the voices and the different impressions he made in such a short amount of time, and he just went from 1 character to another and in-between, his own voice. WOW! Just... WOW!

@keithmanfredi 2 года назад

That 80s Trump vs 2010s... amazing observation and performance. Great job James!

@Orangeflava 2 года назад

like young Pacino and old Pacino. Totally different voices.

@GiftSparks 2 года назад

His version is absolute perfection. I never heard of him until SNL, but he is insanely talented!

@kstepko 2 года назад

I like his Trump more than I like his Biden, but the “don’t see Spiderman” cold open slayed me.

@Lalaphive 2 года назад

I'm crying laughing at how good this guy is

@umair111 2 года назад

Medieval T***p is freakin hilarious

@megaultimatemega 2 года назад

Seth’s NO when James suggested trump may have had a show on this network was so passionate like he wanted to make sure no one ever thought that again! Killed me !

@pj828 2 года назад

Seth's crowd was not gracious enough. That is Thee Best trump impression I have EVER heard. It's not even close!! Just Wow!!

@santiagobenites 2 года назад

SNL is in good hands with up and coming super talents like James Austin Johnson.

@MarsCapone 2 года назад

Always has been, so long as Lorne’s at the reigns. Long live the king!

@morrisal 2 года назад

He's been the BEST hire at SNL recently. He's great.

@jacksonmorganfroghin4815 2 года назад

Yeah it's like when Dana Carvey first appeared on SNL then later explained exactly how he arrived at certain impressions, like church lady "isn't that special" or HW "nah gonna duh" not at this juncture etc. So kids we gotta get to the polls and vote Trump back in..... not only for lower prices and less crime but so Johnson can cold open every SNL show and it can be funny once again. Yaaaahhhh!! Make SNL great again.

@TeonMcLean 2 года назад

Now HE graduated impression camp! Seth has to repeat a year

@hatelovebowel4571 2 года назад

He has the best Trump impersonation of all Trump impersonators

@eponymousIme 2 года назад

Omigosh that was fabulous. Such a treat getting to know James Austin Johnson better. So talented!

@davidfarner2836 2 года назад

I can’t get enough of this guy. 🤣 What a talent!! He is such a natural.

@lukehferris 2 года назад

Instant star. So natural and calm under pressure.

@tom_something 2 года назад

Wait, *this* is the guy? I assumed the actor who played Trump on SNL had to be at least 60 in real life. I'm even more impressed now. At times I worry that his impression is _too_ accurate. But if you've got someone who can do it this well, you've got to let him do it.

@jeffbarber2687 2 года назад

There truly is no better impression out there! He is a master and I can't wait to see JAJ do more and more.

@chriskelly6559 2 года назад

He needs to call in to Tucker or Hannity while they're live on air. He could do some serious damage to their egos.

@TheKrazysexykool 2 года назад

That is the best idea of 2022. That would be priceless

@ArtsCO2024 2 года назад

James Austin Johnson is a natural actor/comedian! He's the star of SNL (to maybe revive it)!

@sagebrushrepair 5 месяцев назад

Your beak is your brand James, own the hell out of it. People look different and it rules. Love your work!

@jbanders2358 2 года назад

Seth laughing the whole time is great 😂

@gioia221 2 года назад

Almost as annoying as Jimmy Fallon

@JillKnapp 2 года назад

Holy crap-- when he did the one line as "smooth '80s Trump" I cried laughing-- it caught me so off-guard and I am done. So damn funny!

@BlackLizrd 11 месяцев назад

Medieval Trump and 80's Trump! This dude's got the stuff and I dig his suit too.

@soumage 10 месяцев назад

Every time he says “he’s banging the hammer” I completely lose it-so absurd and yet so perfectly drumpf

@johnhatzi2283 9 месяцев назад

totally mate hahaha

@jeffreysisson7948 2 года назад

Wow! That is not only the best Trump impression but also the best celebrity impression ever IMO! Completely pitch perfect in every way. The cadence, the body language, bravo! Such a talent. 👏🏻

@greatestsportslegends 2 года назад

I think Seth's genuine laughter around min 10 says it all... #awesome

@diamondbanana-pl2435 5 месяцев назад

This guy is already a legend in my book 😂 and I’m voting for trump. TV gold

@drawcoder 2 года назад

James Austin Johnson is massively skilled. All his impressions are on point because of his study and unique take on things.

@davidsobel3303 2 года назад

I grew up watching master impressionists like Rich Little, Frank Gorshin. When you can close your eyes and believe it's the person they're doing you know it's good.

@stevenj9970 2 года назад

He is so talented! SNL is lucky to have him

@heatherwhite2788 2 года назад

What a glamorous life you lead 😂 He truly has the best T**** voice.

@andreagale6058 2 года назад

He is soooooooooo accurate on that impression of Trump!

@MauiMauiMe 2 года назад

Listening to Seth laugh at medieval Dump is too rich.

@kimp428 2 года назад

So TALENTED! Thanks for these laughs! (and for working so hard, to be so good!).

@lw5592 2 года назад

He's FANTASTIC. He almost out-trumps Trump! Nice going, James!

@MsAmyjoy7802 2 года назад

He's incredible Not only the best Trump impressions, I feel the best impression of anyone ever. Can't get enough, he's my favorite part of SNL, I get so excited the second he rolls out as Trump 😭

@kimbernewman6403 2 года назад

This guy is SPOT on for Trump literally exact dialect!!! Wow

@nickkenis1615 2 года назад

This is one of the best impressions of any person. Dan Soder’s Randy Savage is also in this league. Perfection.

@catmonkey6826 2 года назад

Huge talent!! Absolutely nails it. Don't you just love it when you discover a new star!

@KRONIK3636 Год назад

Holy Sh*t! That is the best Tr*mp impression I've ever heard, & the transition from 80's to present day Tr*mp was spot on!

@srb7006 2 года назад

Some people do Trump well, some do Biden well. This guy does both extremely well.

@amygrant9434 2 года назад

Wow, James graduated from impression camp!

@hayberdasher8625 2 года назад

I already loved his impressions on SNL. After seeing this, he is now one of my New Favorite People.

@pho3nix- Год назад

Even the shape of his mouth blends, or regresses, into Trump. Amazing, probably the best impression of him I've seen so far.

@poppingjaz 2 года назад

wow, man I remember doing a couple of small comedy mics with James back in like 2013 in Nashville, Bowling Green etc. Never saw this coming. Really nice guy, I'm very happy for him

@malako777A 2 года назад

Damn he nailed the trump impression! Even the 80’s Trump is amazing

@shawn6669 2 года назад

His Trump is amazing. Seth's Trump is great too, but totally different. Seth's Trump reminds me a lot of John Stewarts "W" Bush. Neither of them sounds like Trump or "W" REALLY, but they both manage to get a quality that just NAILS IT. If you can get that secret quality then it all falls into place. JAJ has both the sounds of the voice and a form of the aforementioned quality in the weird stream of conciousness thing. Just brilliant. FWIW>