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Donald Trump Delivers Biggest ‘Saturday Night Live’ Ratings Since 2012

Donald Trump hosted SNL to huge ratings.

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Sidestepping protests, critics, challengers and even “Saturday Night Live” tradition, Donald Trump hosted the NBC program Saturday night for the first time since 2004, when he starred on the NBC series, “The Apprentice“.

This season’s previously highest-rated episode was the 41st season premiere, which featured Miley Cyrus and Hillary Clinton. But leading up to Saturday’s broadcast, NBC did not respond to accusations that it had reversed itself, or to the outcry against Trump that had built since “SNL” announced his host booking last month.

But the “heckler” was comedian Larry David, who before Trump arrived onstage had been seen impersonating Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders. Trump said that “as history shows us, nothing brings two countries together like a wall.” SNL has launched the careers of numerous actors, including Chevy Chase, Tina Fey, Eddie Murphy, Bill Murray and the late John Belushi. ET caught up with his daughter, Ivanka Trump, last week, and she shared her opinion on how she thought her dad would do in the video below. A few jokes poked fun at Trump and his image, but Trump has said he took advantage of a host’s prerogative to veto material he deemed offensive.

The Saturday telecast averaged a 6.6 rating and a 16 percent share of the TV audience in the 56 markets that Nielsen tabulates for overnight ratings.

PHOTOS: Who had the best Donald Trump Halloween costume-Kelly Ripa, Lara Spencer or Mario Batali? Several hundred protesters, many representing Latino groups, marched through NY from Trump Tower to NBC’s headquarters, brandishing signs including “Dump Trump” and ‘#racismisntfunny’. Larry David stood up, made the remarks, and stated he heard he’d get $5,000 if he did it. What do you think of the actions? “There’s nothing amusing about calling Mexican immigrants rapists, murderers and drug dealers”. In fact, thanks to Trump, SNL managed to score their highest rating after four years.

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Donald Trump, businessman and Presidential candidate acted as host, an audience member called him “racist”.

Donald Trump