Former "Saturday Night Live" star Leslie Jones recounted Donald Trump's noticeable nervousness when he hosted the show in 2015, describing him as seeming like a "little boy" during a table read.
Jones shared her experience on the "Obsessed" podcast, recalling that she did not initially perceive Trump as a significant figure, viewing him more as a character from "The Apprentice." She stated that during the table read, Trump appeared lost and anxious, holding his scripts like a child.
"I see the insecurity, I see the fear, I see everything," Jones said of comedians' perceptions. She recalled offering reassurance to Trump during the table read after he took a business call, asking him how much money he had just made. Jones interpreted this interaction as a sign of his underlying insecurity, comparing him to Biff Tannen, a character from "Back to the Future" known for his aggressive and coercive behavior.
Jones has been critical of Trump since leaving "SNL" in 2019. Her former colleague Taran Killam also expressed embarrassment over Trump hosting the show, noting that protests could be heard outside during their table read in 2015. Killam stated in 2017 that those protesting were "absolutely right."