Donald Trump Tries to Show He Can Take a Joke on ‘Saturday Night Live’

3 minute read

Donald Trump used an appearance on Saturday Night Live to make the case that he can take a joke, standing next to his impersonators and even lightly sending up protests of the show.

The Republican presidential candidate’s second hosting gig on the long-running sketch show was marred by protests from Hispanic groups around the country that protested remarks he had made about undocumented immigrants since launching his campaign in June.

One group, the Deport Racism PAC, even offered $5,000 to any audience member who would disrupt the show by yelling “Trump is a racist.”

In the most pointed response on the show, Trump found his monologue interrupted by a heckler. But it turned out to be comedian Larry David, who was on the show to play Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.

“I heard if I yelled that they’d give me $5,000,” David shrugs. “As a businessman I can fully respect that,” Trump replies.

During the monologue, Trump also tried to present himself as self-aware, cracking jokes about his own ego.

“A lot of people are saying Donald, you’re the most amazing guy,” Trump began. “You’re brilliant, you’re handsome, you’re rich, you have everything going for you, the world is waiting or you to be president, so why are you hosting Saturday Night Live? The answer is I have really nothing better to do.”

Trump was then joined onstage by his two impersonators, Taran Killam and Saturday Night Live alum Darrell Hammond, wearing matching red ties and blonde wigs. “They’re great,” the real Trump said. “They don’t have my talent, my money or especially my good looks. But you know what, they’re not bad.”

Trump’s stint hosting the iconic variety show has been hugely controversial, drawing protests from prominent Hispanic groups around the country and multiple speeches on the floor of the House by members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. The protests center on inflammatory remarks Trump has made about the Hispanic community since his campaign launch in June, when he said many undocumented Mexican immigrants were rapists.

The earlier controversy led NBC to cut ties with Trump over the show “The Apprentice,” which he starred on for more than a decade.

Read More: Donald Trump’s Saturday Night Live Protests Grow

See Donald Trump on SNL Over the Years

The 'Saturday Night Live' skit 'A Trump Christmas' featured Phil Hartman as Donald Trump and Jan Hooks as Ivana Trump on Dec. 10, 1988.
The 'Saturday Night Live' skit 'A Trump Christmas' featured Phil Hartman as Donald Trump and Jan Hooks as Ivana Trump on Dec. 10, 1988.Raymond Bonar—NBC/Getty Images
Darrell Hammond played Donald Trump during the "Donald Trump's Address" skit on Jan. 10, 2004.
Darrell Hammond played Donald Trump during the "Donald Trump's Address" skit on Jan. 10, 2004.Mary Ellen Matthews—NBC/Getty Images
Donald Trump hosted 'Saturday Night Live' on April 3, 2004. He appeared in the 'Donald Trump's House of Wings' sketch with Amy Poehler, Kenan Thompson, Seth Meyers and Maya Rudolph.
Donald Trump hosted 'Saturday Night Live' on April 3, 2004. He appeared in the 'Donald Trump's House of Wings' sketch with Amy Poehler, Kenan Thompson, Seth Meyers and Maya Rudolph.Mary Ellen Matthews—NBC/Getty Images
Comedian Darrell Hammond as Donald Trump, left, appears with Donald Trump as Jerry the Janitor in the SNL sketch 'The Prince and the Pauper' on April 3, 2004.
Darrell Hammond as Donald Trump, right, appears with Donald Trump as Jerry the Janitor in the SNL sketch 'The Prince and the Pauper' on April 3, 2004.Mary Ellen Matthews—NBC/Getty Images
Darrell Hammond and Paris Hilton appeared as Donald Trumpand Malania Knauss during "The New Trump Family" skit on Feb. 5, 2005.
Darrell Hammond and Paris Hilton appeared as Donald Trump and Malania Knauss during "The New Trump Family" skit on Feb. 5, 2005.Dana Edelson—NBC/Getty Images
SNL's 'Domino's Ad Shoot' skit from May 7, 2005, featured Darrell Hammond as Donald Trump.
SNL's 'Domino's Ad Shoot' skit from May 7, 2005, featured Darrell Hammond as Donald Trump.Dana Edelson—NBC/Getty Images
Comedian Darrell Hammond appeared as Donald Trump during the skit 'Trump's Press Conference' on Jan. 13, 2007.
Comedian Darrell Hammond appeared as Donald Trump during the skit 'Trump's Press Conference' on Jan. 13, 2007.Dana Edelson—NBC/Getty Images
Saturday Night Live
The SNL skit 'Trump Steaks' featured Darrell Hammond as Donald Trump and Molly Shannon as Melania Knauss on May 12, 2007.Dana Edelson—NBC/Getty Images
Comedians Taran Killam, as Donald Trump, and Cecily Strong, as Melania Trump, appeared in the sketch 'Trump Cold Open' on Oct. 3, 2015.
Comedians Taran Killam, as Donald Trump, and Cecily Strong, as Melania Trump, appeared in the sketch 'Trump Cold Open' on Oct. 3, 2015.Dana Edelson—NBC/Getty Images

 

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Write to Tessa Berenson Rogers at tessa.Rogers@time.com