Good One: James Austin Johnson Knows Why Trump Is So Popular

Host: Jesse David Fox
Guest: James Austin Johnson
Release Date: January 15, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Good One features comedian and SNL cast member James Austin Johnson. Host Jesse David Fox delves deep into Johnson’s creative process—especially his singular impression of Donald Trump, his approach to musical impressions, his role as a “Glue Guy” at SNL, and his evolving relationship with comedy. The conversation is revealing about both the art and the workmanlike aspects of SNL, the nuances of political satire, and what makes Johnson’s Trump impression distinct, especially in its embrace of the "charm" that many others miss.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Stories and SNL Origins

• James’s Humorous Medical Story (04:00–04:40): Shares a comedic story about discovering a bump on his neck turned out to be a pimple, professionally extracted by Sarah Sherman's uncle—a moment of classic SNL gross-out humor.
  • [03:54] James: “[The doctor] goes, ‘This is Sarah’s type of shit. We should be rolling on this. Sarah get a big kick out of this.’”
• How James Got on SNL (05:00–06:40): At Jesse’s prompting, James tells (as Trump) the story of his meandering path to SNL—firing off audition tapes, thinking he wouldn't get it, and then joining the cast three months before his son was born.

2. The Art and Process of Impressions

• Locking into Impressions & “The Duck” Metaphor (07:40): Johnson likens impression work to a duck paddling madly below smooth water—lots of hidden effort.
• Trump Impression Philosophy & Mechanics (14:00–18:00):
  • Process: James describes composing improvisatory audio memos, riffing as Trump, sending long voice notes to writers, and wanting sketches not to be “home runs” but to have some risk and randomness.
  • [17:00] James: “I want more, I want some risk in there, because that feels so fun to live through for me. I love an element of risk in the cold opens.”
• Dissecting Impressions—Teaching Methods (18:13–20:11): James conveys his reticence to fully “understand” his method, enjoying the mysteries, but details helping other SNL cast members with impressions (such as Elon Musk’s hybrid South African/British/Austrian accent).

3. Distinguishing His Trump from Others

• Embracing Trump’s Charm (21:09–22:17): Johnson stresses that his goal is to find what’s funny and charming about Trump, not just satirize.
  • [22:16] James: “His charm and popularity are extremely clear to me and have always been… I’ve leaned more into his charm because I think he’s a hilarious and charming person.”
• The Southern/Red State Perspective (24:42): James shares how his southern roots provide a unique vantage for performing Trump—aware of where his charisma truly lands with audiences.

4. SNL Work Life and Balancing Family

• Work Process at SNL (10:34–12:52): Johnson discusses the intensity of SNL’s early week schedule, emphasizing the anxiety of blue-sky brainstorming and his need for work-life balance as a parent.
• Physical Toll & Resilience (11:38–12:56): Details strategies for staying healthy amidst sleep deprivation and toddler parenting—constantly being “sick,” but the show’s adrenaline overriding illness.

5. Satire, Politics, and Audience Perception

• What’s the Point of SNL Satire? (29:12–33:00): James reflects on satire’s societal role; he’s less interested in converting audiences than reflecting cultural realities—letting people see the real appeal of Trump and his ongoing popularity.
  • [31:17] James: “I really can’t say anything about the character of Donald Trump or his fitness for any roles… What more could I say in the negative about Donald Trump that he has not celebrated... daily?”
  • Details sensing audience “sighs” when Trump appears post-2020, yet always aware of Trump’s enduring grassroots strength.
• Approach to Political Absurdity: James prefers his Trump as a Bugs Bunny-like figure, breaking the fourth wall, acknowledging meta elements of sketches, and ignoring the traditional conventions.
  • [25:46] Jesse: “He doesn’t adhere to the rules of a sketch. Where did that come from?”

6. Musical Impressions, “Duet Parades,” and SNL Sketch Types

• The Christmas Duet Spectacular & Musical Parades (36:56–42:09): Johnson describes planning a musical sketch for Ariana Grande, including the frustrations and fun of squeezing niche musical impressions (e.g., Cameron Winter) into mainstream TV.
  • He prepares meticulously—Bocelli is “singing correctly,” and he strives for live, raw music, inspired by a choir’s jagged humanity.
• On Performing with Ariana Grande: Johnson reflects on the equalizing force of SNL—focusing more on the sketch and fun than his duet partner’s superstar status.
  • [41:51] James: “I want it to be live. That’s what really the adrenaline of doing the live show is what really gives you the extra oomph.”

7. Being a “Glue Guy”—Roles Beyond Impressions

• Insider SNL Roles (53:06–54:58): Jesse and James discuss the “Glue Guy” role—a performer who manages voiceovers, announcers, and fills out the fabric of many sketches, in the tradition of Phil Hartman, Cecily Strong, and Bill Hader.
  • [53:45] James: “I’m starstruck around Cecily Strong. I’m starstruck around Tina Fey. That’s when I’m a little jelly.”
• Announcer and Voiceover Skills: James describes how early exposure to preachers, teachers, and infomercials fostered his talent for broadcaster voices, which he deploys across NFL sketches, airline pilots, and American Girl Doll commercials.

8. Writing Music for SNL & Sketch Creation

• “Family Meeting” and Live Guitar (58:50–62:12): Johnson recounts the creation of one of his favorite sketches—an R&B divorce song with Ego Nwodim, inspired by Michael McDonald and Patti LaBelle, performed live on guitar as his own “SNL challenge.”
  • [61:03] Jesse: “Did you play guitar live?”
  • [61:04] James: “I played guitar live.”

9. Relationships with SNL Legends and Mentors

• Advice from Dana Carvey and Martin Short (77:26–80:25): Johnson shares wisdom from two SNL icons—be audacious, have confidence, and trust your comedic instincts.
  • [78:30] James (on Martin Short): “He’s like, ‘You just don’t have confidence… you just gotta work on finding that confidence.’”
• Learning from Lorne Michaels (62:07–65:07): Lorne’s feedback on making Bob Dylan references more contemporary—“Our audience is like nine years old, you can’t be talking about Lon Chaney”—reinforces connecting impressions to modern relevance.

10. Longevity, Balance, and Identity at SNL

• Workmanlike Attitude toward SNL (65:41–69:40): Johnson expresses gratitude for his background, his “late start,” and his focus on sustaining balance between show, art, and family.
  • [66:14] James: “I more think about sustainability and balance... I literally kind of feel like I’m just getting started.”
• Lessons for Other Comedians: Johnson suggests it’s okay to embrace and celebrate your strengths, not shy away from being the “Impressions Guy” when that’s your best pitch.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Risk in Comedy:
  • “[I] want some risk in [the cold opens], because that feels so fun to live through for me. I love an element of risk.” (17:00)
• On Trump’s Popularity:
  • “His charm and popularity are extremely clear to me and have always been very clear to me.” (22:16)
• On Fear of Being Pigeonholed:
  • “I was really focused on showing range and wanting to show what I was more about outside of... loaded political impressions.” (50:25)
• On Getting Advice from Icons:
  • “The time for audaciousness is now. If there’s ever been a time to be audacious, this is the moment.” (79:00, paraphrasing Dana Carvey)
• Jesse on SNL:
  • “It’s fascinating on a very practical level... Every aspect of it.” (72:18)

Noteworthy Segments with Timestamps

• [04:00] James’s medical story & SNL gross-out
• [05:00] SNL origin story told as Trump
• [07:40] The “duck” metaphor for performance effort
• [14:00–20:00] Building, refining, and teaching impressions; process for Trump
• [21:09] Discussing what’s unique about his Trump
• [25:46] The meta, fourth-wall-breaking style of Johnson’s Trump
• [36:56–44:19] Musical impressions, behind the Duet Spectacular, performance anxiety (or lack thereof) with Ariana Grande
• [53:06–58:35] “Glue Guy” duties and announcer versatility
• [58:50–62:12] Writing and performing “Family Meeting”—favorite sketch, live music
• [77:26–80:25] Advice and confidence from SNL legends Martin Short and Dana Carvey
• [62:07–65:07] Lorne Michaels on keeping references current
• [65:41–69:40] Sustaining energy and balance in an SNL career

Final Segments: Personal Reflections & Comedy Philosophy

• Non Sequitur Humor from Family (73:11–74:49): Johnson shares how absurd humor in his formative years shaped his own comedic DNA—especially from his preacher grandfather.
• Legendary Comedian Interaction (75:06–80:25): Memorable encounters with Martin Short (advice on confidence), Mike Myers (learning “Elon Musk”), and Dana Carvey (“the time for audaciousness is now”).
• On Comedy and Taste (85:29–86:18): Johnson observes that not all comedy needs to land universally, encouraging audiences to cultivate discerning taste.
• Shaving On-Air: A Nod to SNL Traditions (90:17–92:26): Johnson shaves his mustache at the end of the episode, a playful acknowledgment of SNL’s aesthetic demands.

Tone & Style

Throughout the episode, both Fox and Johnson are candid, self-critical, and warm. The humor swings naturally from goofy to deeply analytical, moving between industry nerdiness and personal vulnerability—a hallmark of Good One. Johnson’s SNL stories are rich with affectionate detail, his tone swinging between reverence for the institution and delight in its chaos and risk.

For listeners and comedy nerds alike, this episode is a treasure trove of insight into how SNL impressions are built, the philosophy behind great satire, and the career journey of one of late night’s most distinctive performers.