Donald Trump impersonator in demand after US elections

A Donald Trump impressionist has said his phone hasn’t stopped ringing since the 2024 US presidential election results.

Mike Osman, a comedian from Southampton, was almost ready to give up his blond wig and fake tan.

But the news about Return of a Republican to the White House inspired him to continue.

Having started in 2016, he now calls himself the UK’s number one Trump impersonator.

With more than 16 million views on TikTok, Mr Osman spent years working on his act, called “Donald Trumped”.

Despite his Southern English accent, the comedian seems to easily imitate Trump’s voice.

“The first thing you need to do is buy a wig and get it done right,” he said.

The Impressionist wears a custom-made hairpiece created by wig designers, which the hairdresser regularly updates.

Next comes perfecting the suit, specifically Trump’s suit and the iconic crimson tie.

“The tie is about eight feet long,” he joked, adding that his seamstress neighbor made it especially for him.

But the most important part of being a Donald Trump impersonator, he says, is copying his eyes and mouth.

“I’ve watched a lot of videos of Donald, believe me,” he added.

The morning after November’s presidential election, Osman said demand for his act was high.

“I am apolitical, I have no vested interests in relation to Donald Trump, that is what the American people have decided,” he said.

“I’m the UK’s number one Donald Trump impersonator – interestingly, according to a poll, I’m in the top five in the world.”

Mr Osman grew up on a council estate in Millbrook, a suburb of Southampton.

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” he said.

“But if you had told me when I was growing up in Millbrook that I would be in the top five in the world at anything, you know I would have said yes.”

President-elect Donald Trump will take office in January.