Newspaper apologizes for using Alec Baldwin on SNL instead of Trump

A Dominican newspaper mistakenly used a picture of Alec Baldwin dressed as Donald Trump on SNL in place of the president himself.

Dominican newspaper El Nacional was forced to apologize Saturday after it was discovered that they had used a photograph of Alec Baldwin playing Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live, instead of the actual president. The photo was placed alongside a picture of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for an article entitled “Israel doesn’t favor peace,” discussing the world leaders’ disagreement over new Israeli settlements.

The newspaper based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic blamed the Associated Press for the error. “The picture was sent that day by the Associated Press (AP) with the name of the actor and informed about the program, but it was placed as if it were the one of Trump, a situation that went unnoticed for all that reviewed page 19,” El Nacional said in a statement.

A translated version of their apology went on to read:

"El Nacional apologizes to the readers and to all those who felt affected by the publication. Actor Baldwin imitates President Trump on the Saturday Night Live weekly show on the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), one of the most important in the United States."

The faux pas comes the same day that Baldwin is set to host SNL for a record-setting 17th time tonight, providing ample promotion for the episode. The actor joined the cast on a part-time basis as Trump at the beginning of this season, appearing in 10 out of 13 episodes. His impersonation, along with the president’s negative reaction to the sketches, have helped the long-running sketch series enjoy its highest-rated season in 22 years. Outside of Trump and his team, the impression has earned Baldwin plenty of praise, including a Critics’ Choice Award.

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SNL airs tonight at 11:30 p.m. on NBC, with Ed Sheeran as musical guest.