Ryan Chen | |
|---|---|
| Chen Rui | |
| 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" |
Chen Rui (born c. 1982 [1] ), 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. [2] Chen has also been interviewed by Western media outlets, including NBC News, CNN, and the New York Times .
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. [3] He learned English in high school and from watching American television shows while attending university in Chengdu, Sichuan province. [3] 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. [4]
While working as a marketing manager in Chongqing in 2020, Chen started uploading videos to social media. [3] 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. [3]
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 [3] . He posts content on platforms including Instagram and other U.S.-based social media. [1] Chen has cited American impressionist Matt Friend as an influence. [3]
Although he is sometimes referred to as the "Chinese Trump," [5] 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. [3]
Chen has collaborated with figures such as Olympian Wang Guan [6] and American social media creator Darren Jason Watkins. [3] Before January 2026, he had not visited the United States. [1] Chen employs an assistant for his social media work and continues to work as business manager at an architectural design company in Chongqing. [3]
Chen has millions of followers in China, including approximately 1.3 million on Douyin as of late 2025 [4] , and maintains a following internationally. [1] [7] 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. [3]
Chen has been covered by media outlets including NBC News, CNN [4] , and the New York Times [1] His impressions have been described as "pitch-perfect" by the New York Times. [3]