Trump basks in the ‘SNL’ limelight

Donald Trump had competition for the limelight during his star turn as host of “Saturday Night Live,” with comedian Larry David reprising his role as Democratic candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and jokingly calling Trump a racist during the opening monologue. 

At the outset of the broadcast, Trump acknowledged it was unusual for a leading presidential candidate to be hosting the comedy sketch show.

“Part of the reason I’m here is that I know how to take a joke,” he said.

{mosads}Trump said people had been asking him ahead of the broadcast: “The world is waiting for you to be president, so why are you hosting ‘Saturday Night Live?’ “

“The answer is: I have nothing better than do,” he quipped.

After “SNL” sent two Trump impersonators on stage, the opening monologue was interrupted by David, who called Trump a racist.

“I heard if I did that, they’d give me $5,000,” said David, who was no longer in costume as Sanders.

A Hispanic advocacy group had offered to give $5,000 to any audience member who called Trump a racist on-air during the broadcast.

During other parts of the show, Trump poked fun at his larger-than-life persona, his wealth and his “good looks.” 

In his first sketch, Trump held a Cabinet meeting two years into a hypothetical presidency. He was informed that people in Trump’s America were simply “sick of winning.”

Members of Trump’s Cabinet reported that the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) had been completely defeated, all of the international refugees had returned to their home countries and Russian President Vladimir Putin had pulled out of Ukraine after Trump called him a ”loser.”

“Everyone loves the new laws you tweeted,” added one of the fake Trump advisers.

The president of Mexico also hand-delivered a check for a wall to be built on the U.S.-Mexico border in the skit, fulfilling one of Trump’s more outlandish campaign promises.

Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, also joined him as his secretary of Interior and informed him that work was underway to cover the Washington Monument in “gold, mirrored glass.” 

“I said to the writers of the sketch, keep it modest,” Trump deadpanned at the end of the skit, adding that America under his administration would be even better than the fantasy portrayed on the show.

Trump later sang and showed off his dance moves in a parody of Drake’s “Hotline Bling.” He also called “SNL” performers “overrated” and “stupid” in a live-tweet of a sketch.

The GOP candidate predicted his appearance on the show would generate huge ratings but said he had vetoed some skits that were too “risqué.” The businessman said he did not want to alienate conservative voters in Iowa with vulgar jokes.

Hundreds of demonstrators camped out outside of 30 Rockefeller Plaza to protest NBC’s decision to let Trump host the signature comedy show.

Read more from The Hill: 

Larry David yells ‘Trump’s a racist’ during ‘SNL’ monologue

Dozens in NYC protest Trump’s ‘SNL’ appearance

Larry David returns to ‘SNL’ for another spoof of Bernie Sanders