When a middle – aged man hailing from Chongqing, who could flawlessly imitate Donald Trump, started showing up on people’s Instagram feeds globally, it didn’t take long for him to become an internet sensation. It’s precisely this kind of unexpected combination (Chongqing and Trump?) that can catapult a talent to fame on the internet.
Chen Rui, known online as @trumpbyryan and by his English name Ryan, has not only mastered the hand movements of the United States president—admittedly, that’s the relatively easy part in some ways—but he has also captured Trump’s speaking rhythm so perfectly that it’s hard to believe he’s not a native English speaker. “Folks, you’re in Chongqing, CHAI – na,” Chen remarks in one video as he raises the camera to give an aerial view of the crowded pavement behind him, his thumb and index finger pressed together in a classic Trump – like gesture.
“Look at this. It’s 6:30 pm on Fri – day, the busiest hour of the week, and you’re at Guanyinqiao, the most crowded spot in the city. Just look at the volume of traffic. So many people, so many cars, bumper to bumper, hardly moving. Some say it’s bad. You know what I say? I say it’s incredible.”
