TODAY’S PAPER | February 23, 2026 | EPAPER

Did Donald Trump call into C-SPAN under an alias?

A 'John Barron' caller sparked speculation after phoning into C-SPAN with a voice that sounded like Donald Trump


Pop Culture & Art February 23, 2026 1 min read
Photo: Reuters

A caller identifying himself as 'John Barron' phoned into C-SPAN on Friday to comment on the Supreme Court of the United States’s ruling, and many viewers believe the voice sounded strikingly similar to President Donald Trump.

The segment quickly gained traction online, with social media users split over whether the caller was simply an impersonator or the president himself using a pseudonym.

In response to the speculation, C-SPAN later clarified that the call did not come from Trump and said it originated from a central Virginia phone number while the president was attending scheduled White House meetings.

The name 'John Barron' has drawn particular attention because Trump previously acknowledged using the alias, along with other pseudonyms, when speaking to reporters in the 1980s and 1990s to promote himself in media coverage.

A past investigation by news outlets also found that a supposed spokesperson using a similar name was, in fact, Trump.

In the clip, the caller praised Trump and criticized his opponents, further fueling speculation about the identity behind the call.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ