Donald Trump’s attempt to promote his upcoming appearance on “Saturday Night Live” did not draw a laugh from at least one potential viewer — Ben Carson.
In the promo “SNL” cast member Cecily Strong jokingly explains that due to FCC equal air time rules for presidential candidates that Trump can only speak for four seconds.
“So let me just say this,” Trump says in the short spot. “Ben Carson is a complete and total loser!”
Trump’s swipe comes as Carson has begun to edge past in Republican primary polls.
Carson wasn’t laughing when told of Trump’s remark.
“I discovered when I was in grade school that those tactics really are for grade school. And I’ve gone far beyond that now,” he told CNN during a book signing in Fort Myers, Fla.
In another clip, Strong said that Trump promised he wouldn’t brag or say “he’s the best of anything” for the entire broadcast.
“That’s right, Cecily, and I’m going to do the best job that anyone’s ever done not saying it,” Trump said to the camera.
NBC has been criticized for having Trump host on Saturday night.
The National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts and the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda sent a letter last month to Lorne Michaels, SNL’s executive producer, to say they were “flabbergasted” over the show’s invite to Trump.
Hispanics are angry over Trump’s allegation that many Mexicans slipping into the country were criminals and rapists.
Yet, in Wednesday’s promos everything seemed to be light hearted as Trump joked around with the cast.
“I’m not supposed to say this, but Trump said I could be his running mate,” Strong said in one promo.
“I’m just shopping around,” Trump responded to a dismayed Strong.
NBC released seven promos on Wednesday that put together last roughly two minutes.
CNN’s Elizabeth Landers contributed to this report