Newspaper apologises for Trump-Baldwin mix-up

A DOMINICAN newspaper apologised on Sunday for publishing a photo of actor Alec Baldwin in his satirical role as US President Donald Trump, alongside an article on the US president’s stance on Israeli settlements.

The Friday edition of El Nacional featured Baldwin’s photo – instead of an actual image of Trump – next to one of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a story about Israeli settlements in areas claimed by the Palestinians.

Baldwin has channelled the billionaire US president’s strained squint and pouty, twitching lips on the sketch comedy Saturday Night Live.

El Nacional issued an apology for the gaffe in its Sunday paper, saying the mix-up “went unnoticed by all who reviewed page 19”, where the photo ran.

“El Nacional apologises to the readers and all those who felt affected by the publication,” the paper said.

The Republican president and former reality TV host has attacked Baldwin and the latenight variety show on Twitter, writing that the show is “unwatchable!”

“Totally biased, not funny and the Baldwin impersonation just can’t get any worse. Sad.”

Baldwin has received critical praise for his performance, however, and the newspaper gaffe might be the highest compliment yet. — AFP