Stretching out his hands in a familiar pose and adopting unmistakable speech patterns, Chinese content creator Ryan Chen has mastered the voice, gestures, and rhythm of Donald Trump. His performances have turned him into a viral sensation across global and Chinese social media platforms.
Chen, 42, is based in Chongqing, a city known for its dramatic skyline and fiery cuisine. Unlike political satirists, he avoids commentary that could trigger censorship. Instead, he focuses on humor, culture, and entertainment, which has helped him build millions of followers on Instagram, TikTok, and Chinese platforms.
“Trump attracts more attention online than almost anyone else,” Chen said in an interview with AFP. “He is an endless source of traffic.”
Chen’s videos are filmed in English with Chinese subtitles. They often feature Chinese food, local customs, cultural contrasts, playful banter with foreigners, and even dance routines set to Village People’s “YMCA.” Each clip includes Trump-style phrases like “tremendous” and “amazing,” delivered with striking accuracy.
“I’m not interested in politics,” Chen said. “I see him as a great entertainer. I imitate him to get attention, not to mock him.”
Accidental Fame and a Viral Breakthrough
Chen’s rise to fame came unexpectedly. Trained as an architect, he began making English-language videos as a backup plan after China’s property slowdown hurt the construction sector. His early content gained modest traction until a friend dared him to impersonate Trump.
That decision changed everything. His popularity surged in 2025, following Trump’s return to the White House. A major boost came when Chen appeared on a livestream hosted by IShowSpeed, who was visiting China at the time. The collaboration introduced Chen to a massive international audience.
Although he had never visited the United States before this year, Chen learned English by watching American TV shows like Friends and The Big Bang Theory. He credits this exposure for helping him sound like a native speaker.
Chen now says Trump feels oddly familiar to him. “It’s like he’s a neighbour,” he said.
A Cultural Bridge With Commercial Success
Chen views his work as a cultural bridge. He introduces urban China to foreign audiences while helping Chinese viewers better understand international humour and online culture. His approach has earned him recognition on the streets and a growing global fan base.
He now has more than one million followers on Instagram, nearly the same on TikTok, and over 2.5 million followers on Chinese platforms. His success has also become financially sustainable.
Advertising is now his main income stream. Brands in sectors such as automobiles, digital products, gaming, and food regularly hire him for promotions, corporate events, and campaigns.
Chen, whose real name is Chen Rui, recently revealed that he secured a U.S. visa and is visiting the country for the first time. He said this shows his work has not caused any diplomatic friction.
With Trump expected to visit China this year, Chen jokingly invited him to Chongqing to “try our hotpot,” famous for its intense spice. While meeting Trump in person could be interesting, Chen remains grounded. “I’m just a comedian,” he said. “I have no political goals.”
