The comedian and prankster known as Stuttering John apparently fooled President Donald Trump on Friday, pretending to be a U.S. senator and talking to Trump on the phone for the amusement of his podcast audience.
Stuttering John, aka John Melendez who came to fame on Howard Stern’s radio show, recorded it all on his podcast in which the two talked about Trump’s potential Supreme Court nomination and the immigration problems at the border.
Late Friday night, though, Melendez said the Secret Service came knocking at his door. It’s unclear whether Melendez was being serious—like we said two paragraphs ago, he is a comedian and a prankster—but he spent 11 tweets furthering the storyline.
Here was the tweet that started it.
Secret Service at my door. I guess my old friend Donald wants to continue this. Stay tuned.
— John Melendez (@stutteringjohnm) June 30, 2018
He continued on, and here’s what Melendez wrote (typos and all): “Sectret service about to arrest me. Unbelievable! They should arrest Jared Kushner for putting the call through, shame on Donald Trump who has been a friend of mine for years. … Secret Servive is knocking. Unbelievable. … Well if I get raped in prison, I hope it’s with someone who has a hefty bank account. … Alright I guess Donald is more concerned with pursuing this legally as opposed as to firing his screening staff.”
Melendez said he didn’t answer the door, as many on Twitter had advised, and he said the Secret Service eventually left after showing badges to his neighbors.
Please help me with my new go fund me. Page to pay to get out of this. Kidding, 3 years in prison is rent free.
— John Melendez (@stutteringjohnm) June 30, 2018
Melendez also said he left his house to move to an undisclosed location and that Michael Avenatti, the lawyer who represents Stormy Daniels, might help him.
Wrote Melendez: “Michael Avvenati has agreed to consider repping me, but right now, seriously I’m n the lamb. I can’t say at my house because I have my kids this weekend & it’s my last opportunity before I go the big house… that’s my ex- wife’s house, she got everything in the divorce. … I made a living at pretending I’m a reporter, which Donald trump knows, & was a fan of, why would he have me arrested for duping him.”
Then, before signing off for the night, Melendez made a Shawshank Redemption reference.
I’m currently an at undisclosed location. Sorry, love you all but I have to go to sleep. Red, can I get a rock hammer?
— John Melendez (@stutteringjohnm) June 30, 2018
Here’s the entire podcast. Trump calls Melendez back at the 1:07:00 mark.