Every time Alec Baldwin has played Trump on 'SNL'
Alec Baldwin has managed to mine comedy gold in the contentious world of politics, but he might not have much more left: The frequent Saturday Night Live host and guest is thinking about retiring his impression of President Donald Trump.
“The maliciousness of this White House has people very worried,” Baldwin told Extra in March. “That’s why I’m not going to do it much longer, the impersonation. I don’t [know] how much more people can take it.”
Though viewers can’t seem to get enough of his take on the commander in chief in the sketch comedy’s 42nd season, Trump himself isn’t a fan, having described it as “unwatchable” and “totally biased” while airing his numerous grievances about the show. “I think the Alec Baldwin situation is not good,” Trump said in a new Fox News interview airing Saturday, echoing his past statements.
That situation might be ending soon, but Baldwin’s instantly classic sketches are here to stay. Read on for a look at every time he imitated Trump on SNL.
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1. Trump and Clinton Spar for the First Time: Oct. 1
It all started with Baldwin taking over as SNL’s resident Trump impersonator for the premiere of season 42. Kate McKinnon’s Hillary Clinton may have been battling pneumonia, but she proves to have a few tricks up her sleeve. Trump, meanwhile, appears to be all talk: “Good evening, America,” he says. “I’m going to be so good tonight. I’m going to be so calm and presidential that all of you watching are going to cream your jeans.” In the middle of the madness is Michael Che’s Lester Holt, who is portrayed as the well-meaning but clearly exasperated moderator.
2. Trump Interrupts the Vice Presidential Debate: Oct. 8
There may have only been one vice presidential debate, but it made an impression, perhaps because it took place just after that infamous recording leaked between Trump and former Access Hollywood host Billy Bush. “Are you not entertained?” Baldwin’s Trump asks in the cold open, appearing opposite a horrified Brooke Baldwin (Cecily Strong) on a spoof CNN broadcast.
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3. Trump and Clinton’s Second Round: Oct. 15
Strong’s Martha Raddatz and Alex Moffat’s Anderson Cooper begrudgingly moderate, taking a shot of liquor before starting the “nightmare.” Later, Baldwin’s Trump awkwardly tries to distract Clinton’s McKinnon as she answers a question.
4. Melania Trump Channels Beyoncé: Oct. 15
Strong’s Melania Trump finds her voice when she recreates Beyoncé’s “Sorry” music video in “Melanianade.” She’s not alone, though, getting support from Ivanka Trump (host Emily Blunt), “mouthpiece” Kellyanne Conway (McKinnon), Apprentice alum Omarosa Manigault (Sasheer Zamata), and Tiffany Trump (Vanessa Bayer). Baldwin’s appearance is short and sweet, arriving at the end of the clip.
5. The Final Debate: Oct. 22
With host Tom Hanks playing moderator Chris Wallace, this cold open is almost as memorable as the real debate (#NastyWoman). It’s complete with a game of Trump Bingo, Baldwin channeling Trump’s views on immigration, and those sniffles.
6. Trump and Clinton Explore New York City: Nov. 5
During a cold open parodying CNN’s Erin Burnett OutFront, Baldwin’s Trump advocates “a very private, very secure site,” kisses Russian President Vladimir Putin (Beck Bennett), and even runs off with Clinton (McKinnon), though the little boy at the end doesn’t seem so pleased.
7. Trump’s First Meeting as President-Elect: Nov. 19
The fight is over, and Baldwin’s Trump and McKinnon’s distraught Conway are at his first post-election meeting, where the president-elect receives some visits from some notable Republicans and reconsiders his stances on immigration, healthcare, and Hillary Clinton.
8. Trump Fires Up Twitter: Dec. 3
Baldwin’s Trump decides to tweet high schooler Seth, played by Pete Davidson, in this cold open, which takes place during an important security briefing.
9. The Trumps Get in the Christmas Spirit: Dec. 17
In SNL‘s final episode of 2016, Trump (Baldwin), Conway (McKinnon), and the first lady (Strong) are just chilling in Trump Tower when Putin (Bennett) enters the family’s posh penthouse through a chimney. This cold open also features a guest appearance from the future secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, played by acting great John Goodman.
10. Trump’s Wild Press Conference: Jan. 14
Here, Baldwin reenacts Trump’s first press conference since becoming the president-elect. He talks about how excited he is to have a pet, a.k.a. Paul Ryan, in the White House and how much he dislikes BuzzFeed’s quizzes. Trump’s sons, tax lawyer, Kenan Thompson’s Steve Harvey, and Bennett’s Putin all make appearances.
11. Trump’s Chaotic Oval Office: Feb. 4
In one of the most memorable cold opens of the season, Baldwin’s Trump is visited in the Oval Office by the Grim Reaper — SNL‘s take on White House chief strategist Steve Bannon — following both the Bowling Green massacre scandal and the (first) travel ban. Don’t miss appearances made by world leaders from Australia, Mexico, Germany, and Zimbabwe.
12. Trump Goes to The People’s Court: Feb. 11
Following the court verdict on “TV President” Trump’s travel ban, Baldwin took to SNL to host and attend The People’s Court as Trump, facing off against 9th Circuit appeals court judges played by Vanessa Bayer, Pete Davidson, and Kyle Mooney.
13. Trump Tries to Rally Troops: March 11
An alien invasion goes horribly wrong as SNL‘s Trump tries to contend with coal and This is Us (isn’t everyone?). When the aliens ask to see the leader, Trump points to a general, played by Thompson.
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14. Man in the Mirror: March 11
Don’t look away from your screen or you might miss Baldwin’s Trump applying lipstick when his daughter Ivanka, played by guest host Scarlett Johansson, promotes her fictional perfume, Complicit.
15. Trump’s People: April 8
This cold open centers on a detour taken by Trump, en route to the White House, to bond with some of his suddenly skeptical-yet-ever-loyal supporters — even after he says he’ll dismantle many of the programs the country prides itself on (healthcare, minimum wage, etc.).
16. The O’Reilly Factor with Trump: April 8
Baldwin doubles as both Bill O’Reilly and Trump in this sketch, spoofing the aftermath of the sexual harassment allegations leveled against the Fox News veteran, for whom the real-life Trump has expressed support.
