In his 17th time hosting “Saturday Night Live,” Alec Baldwin brought his uncanny impression of President Donald Trump to court — TV court, that is.
Last night’s episode pitted Trump against the federal judges whoupheld a suspension of his immigration order ona reality television show, where the president sued for “justice, bigly,” and the three Ninth Circuit judges were accused of knowing the Constitution. “Mr. Trump, you understand that this is a TV court, right?” asked “SNL” cast member Cecily Strong, who played the judge and host of “The People’s Court.”
“That’s OK, I’m a TV president,” Baldwin’s Trump replied.
Stating his case, Baldwin said: “I signed a tremendous travel ban. I didn’t read it, but I signed it. People took pictures of me holding up a piece of paper. Very official. These judges have been very disrespectful. I’m right. They’re wrong. I want the ban reinstated. Also I want $725.” Facing off against the “so-called” judges — swiping at the president’s actualstatementagainst U.S. District Judge James Robart, who suspended Trump’s immigration ban on Feb. 4 — Baldwin-as-Trump also brought out a character witness: Russian President Vladimir Putin, shirtless, played by Beck Bennett.
The plaintiff would like to call a character witness at his People’s Court trial. #SNL pic.twitter.com/TgUzc6Xscw
— Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) February 12, 2017
Baldwin has received considerable criticism for his role as the president, mostly from Trump himself, and mostly via Twitter,saying last year “Baldwin’s impersonation just can’t get any worse. Sad.“ Aside from being a record-breaking episode for Baldwin, “The People’s Court” sketch also broke with a bit of tradition: Rather than Baldwin appearing in a cold open for the show, his only appearance as Trump on the episode came later. Instead, Melissa McCarthyreprised her highly lauded roleas White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer.
