Donald Trump Almost Played President In “Sharknado 3”, But Then Just Decided to Do It For Real

Of all the things to blame for President Donald J. Trump’s presidency, we never thought we’d have to point the finger at the Sharknado franchise.

Ahead of the debut of Sharknado 5: Global Swarming, The Hollywood Reporter has published a lengthy interview with the producer behind the schlocky sci-fi saga.

In it, he confesses they had almost signed Donald Trump to play the fake President of the United States in 2015’s Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! (Has a Sharknado subtitle ever been such an ominous portent of things to come?)

Initially, producers wanted Sarah Palin for the part, but negotiations fell through.

At this point, former 90210 star, sometimes-Chippendales dancer and now Sharknado lead Ian Ziering suggested his former Celebrity Apprentice boss, Donald Trump.

Trump was very close to joining the film, and was even apparently “thrilled to be asked”, according to producer David Latt. A contract was drawn up and sent to Trump’s attorney Michael D. Cohen. (Side note: this dude is now being investigated by the F.B.I. in connection with their ‘Russian collusion’ inquiry, and sadly, not for his inability to protect his clients from straight-to-TV flying shark movies). 

However, after weeks of radio silence, Cohen apparently told Latt, “Donald’s thinking about making a legitimate run for the presidency, so we’ll get back to you.”

Later, producers gave the role to one of Trump’s nemeses, Mark Cuban. When Trump’s camp found out, they reportedly told producers: “How dare you? Donald wanted to do this. We’re going to sue you!”

Cohen told THR he had no recollection of such a conversation, but he remembered having dinner with Ziering to discuss the casting.

Of course, Trump had been mulling a run for president for decades, so Sharknado isn't entirely to blame. But there’s no disputing the fact that mere months after this all went down, he descended the escalator at Trump Tower to announce his candidacy. 

Oh Sharknado, what have you wrought?

Photo: SyFy