{{Short description|Chinese impressionist and social media celebrity (born c. 1982)}} {{Infobox person | name = Ryan Chen | image = | caption = | native_name = 陳睿 | native_name_lang = zh | other_names = | birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|42|2025|10|1}} | birth_place = Chongqing, China | death_date = | death_place = | occupation = Actor, Comedian, Director, Business Manager, Tour Guide | years_active = 2024–present | employer = | known_for = "Chinese Trump" | party = | spouse = | children = }}
'''Chen Rui''' (({{zh|s=|p=Chén Ruì|t=陳睿}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-09 |title=「中國特朗普」如何走紅？ |url=https://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/articles/cvgn1z877n0o/trad |access-date=2026-05-05 |website=BBC News 中文 |language=zh-hant}}</ref>; born c. 1982<ref name=NBC/>), 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tiktok.com/@trumpbyryan?lang=en|title=@trumpbyryan|website=tiktok|access-date=21 November 2025}}</ref> Chen has also been interviewed by Western media outlets, including NBC News, CNN, and the ''New York Times''.
==Background and education== Chen 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.<ref name=NYT/> He learned English in high school and from watching American television shows while attending university in Chengdu, Sichuan province.<ref name=NYT/> 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.<ref name="CNN">{{cite web |last=Valerio |first=Mike |title=Meet China's Viral Trump Impersonator |url=https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RtpBjo2_-Mg |accessdate=14 November 2025 |website=CNN via Chen's YouTube channel}}</ref>
==Career==
While working as a marketing manager in Chongqing in 2020, Chen started uploading videos to social media.<ref name=NYT/> 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.<ref name=NYT/>
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<ref name=NYT/>. He posts content on platforms including Instagram and other U.S.-based social media.<ref name=NBC>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/world/asia/chinese-trump-impersonator-wins-fans-followers-rcna231559|title='Chinese Trump' wins fans and followers with his spot-on impersonation|publisher=NBC News|date=1 October 2025}}</ref> Chen has cited American impressionist Matt Friend as an influence.<ref name=NYT/>
Although he is sometimes referred to as the "Chinese Trump,"<ref>https://www.youtube.com/@trumpbyryanofficial</ref> 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.<ref name=NYT/>
Chen has collaborated with figures such as Olympian Wang Guan<ref>https://www.youtube.com/shorts/z_Iw84skTwc</ref> and American social media creator Darren Jason Watkins.<ref name="NYT" /> Before January 2026, he had not visited the United States.<ref name=NBC/> Chen employs an assistant for his social media work and continues to work as business manager at an architectural design company in Chongqing.<ref name=NYT>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/23/world/asia/chinese-trump-impersonator.html|title=He's Never Been to America. But in China, He's Trump.|date=23 October 2025|last=Higgins|first=Andrew|website=The New York Times}}</ref>
==Reception==
Chen has millions of followers in China, including approximately 1.3 million on Douyin as of late 2025<ref name=CNN/>, and maintains a following internationally.<ref name=NBC/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/@trumpbyryanofficial/shorts|title=Chinese Trump(RyanChen瑞哥英语) Shorts|website=YouTube|accessdate=22 November 2025}}</ref> 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.<ref name=NYT/>
Chen has been covered by media outlets including NBC News, CNN<ref name="CNN" />, and the ''New York Times''<ref name=NBC/> His impressions have been described as "pitch-perfect" by the ''New York Times.''<ref name=NYT/>
==References== <references/>
==External links== * [https://www.youtube.com/@trumpbyryanofficial/shorts Ryan Chen's YouTube shorts] * [https://www.tiktok.com/@trumpbyryan?lang=en Chen on TikTok] {{DEFAULTSORT:Chen, Ryan}} Category:Internet celebrities Category:Impressionists (entertainers) Category:Celebrity impersonators Category:Living people Category:Chinese comedians Category:People from Chongqing Category:1982 births