Donald Trump condemned the American comedy show Saturday Night Live on Sunday after Matt Damon portrayed his Supreme Court nominee as an angry, beer-obsessed caricature and Kanye West was booed by the audience.

“Like many, I don’t watch Saturday Night Live (even though I past hosted it) - no longer funny, no talent or charm. It is just a political ad for the Dems,” he wrote on Twitter. “Word is that Kanye West, who put on a MAGA hat after the show (despite being told “no”), was great. He’s leading the charge!”

Many of America’s leading comedians cut their teeth on the late programme, particularly during its 1970s heyday.

But in recent years it dipped in popularity before finding its feet again with the arrival of Donald Trump in the White House, according to critics.

Alec Baldwin's portrayal of Mr Trump provoked frequent presidential Twitter outbursts.