Chen Rui ((Chinese: 陳睿; pinyin: Chén Ruì[1]; born c. 1982[2]), known online as Ryan Chen, is a Chinese impressionist and social media personality. He gained attention in 2024 for videos impersonating President Donald Trump, which went viral on Chinese social media platforms.[3] Chen has also been interviewed by Western media outlets, including NBC News, CNN, and the New York Times.
Ryan Chen | |
|---|---|
陳睿 | |
| Born | 1982 or 1983 (age 42–43) Chongqing, China |
| Occupations | Actor, Comedian, Director, Business Manager, Tour Guide |
| Years active | 2024–present |
| Known for | "Chinese Trump" |
Background and education
editChen Rui was born around 1982 as an only child in a working-class family. His father worked in shipping on the Yangtze River, and his mother worked in a government-run textile factory.[4] He learned English in high school and from watching American television shows while attending university in Chengdu, Sichuan province.[4] In 2024, following a bet with a friend, Chen posted a video of himself performing a Trump impression on Douyin, the Chinese equivalent of TikTok.[5]
Career
editWhile working as a marketing manager in Chongqing in 2020, Chen started uploading videos to social media.[4] He initially created vlogs on lifestyle topics, including dieting which gained a modest following. He later produced English-teaching videos under the name BrotherRyanEnglish, which were more successful.[4]
Following the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Chen expanded his repertoire to include impressions of other American political figures, such as Presidents Biden and Obama, and Vice President JD Vance[4]. He posts content on platforms including Instagram and other U.S.-based social media.[2] Chen has cited American impressionist Matt Friend as an influence.[4]
Although he is sometimes referred to as the "Chinese Trump,"[6] Chen avoids political commentary. He focuses on entertainment content, including promotion of Chinese cities, cuisine, culture, and travel, delivered in Trump-like mannerisms. He has stated that he deliberately avoids sensitive political topics in both China and the U.S.[4]
Chen has collaborated with figures such as Olympian Wang Guan[7] and American social media creator Darren Jason Watkins.[4] Before January 2026, he had not visited the United States.[2] Chen employs an assistant for his social media work and continues to work as business manager at an architectural design company in Chongqing.[4]
Reception
editChen has millions of followers in China, including approximately 1.3 million on Douyin as of late 2025[5], and maintains a following internationally.[2][8] In early 2025, concerns over a potential U.S. ban on TikTok led some American users to seek content on Chinese platforms. Chen's videos have occasionally been reposted without permission, prompting him to issue a cease-and-desist notice.[4]
Chen has been covered by media outlets including NBC News, CNN[5], and the New York Times[2] His impressions have been described as "pitch-perfect" by the New York Times.[4]
References
edit- ↑ "「中國特朗普」如何走紅？". BBC News 中文 (in Traditional Chinese). 2026-01-09. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "'Chinese Trump' wins fans and followers with his spot-on impersonation". NBC News. 1 October 2025.
- ↑ "@trumpbyryan". tiktok. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Higgins, Andrew (23 October 2025). "He's Never Been to America. But in China, He's Trump". The New York Times.
- 1 2 3 Valerio, Mike. "Meet China's Viral Trump Impersonator". CNN via Chen's YouTube channel. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/@trumpbyryanofficial
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/z_Iw84skTwc
- ↑ "Chinese Trump(RyanChen瑞哥英语) Shorts". YouTube. Retrieved 22 November 2025.