Should Anthony Atamanuik Play Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner?
Uh oh, the country is divided again over Trump.
This April, the WHCD will be without its main speaker, guest of honor and favorite insult target, the President of the United States. Donald Trump tweeted he won’t be attending, making him the first President since 1924 to shun the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Reagan did skip 1981’s dinner, but he had a good excuse- he had just survived an assassination attempt, and still participated via phone.
I will not be attending the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner this year. Please wish everyone well and have a great evening!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2017
Zach Braff and other SNL fans have called on Alec Baldwin to step in President Trump’s shoes for the evening, at the annual event which celebrates the press’ relationship with the White House and welcomes journalists and celebrities (including private citizen Trump who attended in 2011) to attend.
.@AlecBaldwin time to suit up. https://t.co/DfVnzAYxSG
— Zach Braff (@zachbraff) February 25, 2017
But Mark Hamill and others are suggesting Anthony Atamanuik, who won our Trump vs Trump poll earlier this year, should step in and fill the President’s shoes this year. “Comedians might make fun of me…Waaahhh! With Alec Baldwin busy on SNL, it’s time to give @TonyAtamanuik a call! #Trumplethinskin,” Hamill tweeted. Also supporting Team Atamanuik are Mike Birbiglia, Andy Daly, SNL alum Laraine Newman, Baratunde Thurston, and Huffpo columnist Seth Abramson plus scores of fans who are actively petitioning @whca.
Fans of Atamanuik are shouting out on Twitter that his parody is more biting, bombastic, and funnier off-script. Of course, there is no reason to believe that the White House Correspondents’ Association would ever consider an impersonator, but that’s not stopping fans of both Baldwin and Atamanuik from weighing in.
Comedians might make fun of me…Waaahhh! With Alec Baldwin busy on SNL, it's time to give @TonyAtamanuik a call! #Trumplethinskin https://t.co/JGWrBL4SJN
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) February 26, 2017
Anthony is the best Trump. No offense to Baldwin but Anthony is the standard. Let's do this @PressClubDC @whca https://t.co/0tbbxDYCKR
— Baratunde (@baratunde) February 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/TVsAndyDaly/status/835716623084347392
.@whca If Trump isn't showing up at White House Correspondents dinner then you have to book the greatest Trump impressionist @TonyAtamanuik. https://t.co/WRwNMJ2Bqq
— Mike Birbiglia (@birbigs) February 26, 2017
his Trump is the best
— Laraine Newman (@larainenewman) February 26, 2017
Retweet if you want Anthony Atamanuik (@TonyAtamanuik) to fill in for Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on April 29th. pic.twitter.com/jX2gp7GSUp
— Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson) February 26, 2017
Although Baldwin has not commented on Trump’s cancellation or the call to perform yet, Atamanuik says he is up for it, and even suggested two Trumps being a better idea than one real one.
Well if you want to make it happen, tweet at @whca folks. pic.twitter.com/bAUSW6gsH2
— Anthony Atamanuik (@TonyAtamanuik) February 26, 2017
.@ABFalecbaldwin We should both do @whca and sing Peaches & Herb's Reunited.
— Anthony Atamanuik (@TonyAtamanuik) February 26, 2017