Donald Trump made his first appearance on “SNL U.K.,” courtesy of “SNL” cast member James Austin Johnson.
Saturday night’s cold open recreated U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham (George Fouracres) meeting with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy (Freddie Meredith) to reaffirm Britain’s support in their war with Russia.
“We need America to restore the Starlink internet. Without it, we are vulnerable to drone strikes,” Meredith’s Zelenskyy said. “Also, it is very difficult to stream ‘Celebrity Traitors.’ I’m very behind, no spoilers, but I think Richard E. Grant is going to go all the way.”
Replied Fouracres as Burnham, “Well, I can promise you now that I’ll raise all of this with President Trump at the first opportunity.”
Johnson then appeared with his spot-on Trump impression, marking the first crossover between the “SNL U.K.” and “SNL” casts. “Did somebody say Richard E. Grant?” he said.
“President Trump?!” Fouracres’ Burnham exclaimed.
“That’s right, you say my name and I appear,” Johnson’s Trump sad. “I got the idea from my very close friend Beetlejuice, the late, great Beetlejuice. It’s one of the two ways I am like him, the other is sex pest — alleged, they can’t prove he did that stuff.”
When asked why he’s in the U.K., Johnson as Trump said he’s been in town “to see my favorite comedian” who is “performing live at high court in the role of defendant,” referencing the Russell Brand trial.
Johnson’s Trump then explained that he is hoping to do a job swap with Burnham. “I take over the U.K., you take over America,” he said. “I tell ya, that place is a real mess, you’re going to hate it. It’s an awful, awful job. It’s a terrible place full of disgusting people, I don’t know what the hell happened. C’mon, job swap with me!”
Fouracres as Burnham replied, “I can’t swap jobs with you now, cocker! I’ve barely gotten started. People don’t even hate me yet!”
Johnson’s Trump then went on a rant about things he could fix in Britain, including that M&S have too many variations of Percy Pigs.
“And how about British comedy, folks? What a bad situation, it’s not doing well,” he continued. “‘SNL U.K.,’ you’re telling me you don’t have a guy — the whole cast, you don’t have one guy who can play Trump? What an awful situation. Some of these people went to RADA! What is that, the Royal Academy of Dogshit Actors? Ooh, you can say shit on this one! That felt really good.”
Johnson as Trump finally gave up on the job swap, saying: “Fine, I’ll go home. And Zelenskyy, let me know if you need anything, anything at all. Provided it’s not help with war.”
Added Fouracres as Burnham, “Sorry Zelenskyy, me old mocker. But as dire as things might be, what matters most is that we all be nice to this insane man.”
Watch the full sketch below.