CNN anchor Chris Wallace sparked Larry David’s fury over former President Donald Trump, but David engaged in a comedic stunt when Trump hosted Saturday Night Live during the 2016 campaign.
In an episode of Wallace’s Max series, “Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace,” a preview clip went viral for David’s scathing critique of Trump. However, another clip showed Wallace questioning David about his use of the MAGA hat for humor on his show:
WALLACE: The only way you’d ever do it. (The only way I could ever do it) In 2020. In Curb, you discovered the advantages to wearing a MAGA hat.
WALLACE: In your world here and because you know you live in Beverly Hills or Santa Monica or something like that. What would wearing a MAGA hat do? Would that just
DAVID: I’m sure you’d get some very odd looks in Los Angeles if you’re walking around with that hat. But yeah, I used it on the show got me out of a couple of things. I was gonna get beat up by a biker. Yeah. Then I put the hat on. Yeah.
WALLACE: How do you wrap your head around the fact that he could very well be reelected president? I mean, right now, I’d say he’s the favorite.
DAVID: He’s just such an amazing con man. He has such a gift for lying, and fooling people and convincing people of something that’s a complete lie.
WALLACE: Effect…But the point is, millions and millions and millions of Americans more so than three years ago. They buy it.
DAVID: They buy it, it’s a testament to his conning abilities. He’s, he’s, he’s the greatest con man we’ve we’ve ever produced. Yeah.
During Trump’s SNL hosting in November 2015, David interrupted the monologue to shout “Trump’s a racist!”—setting up a joke that Trump embraced:
DONALD TRUMP: They’re great. They don’t have my talent, my money, or especially my good looks. But you know what? They’re not bad. And we’re going to have a lot of fun tonight.
LARRY DAVID: You’re a racist!
DONALD TRUMP: Who the hell is–? I knew this was going to happen. Who is that?
LARRY DAVID: Trump’s a racist!
DONALD TRUMP: It’s Larry David. What are you doing, Larry?
LARRY DAVID: I heard if I yelled that, they’d give me $5,000.
DONALD TRUMP: As a businessman, I can fully respect that. That’s okay.
We have got a great show tonight. Sia is here, so stick around.
