Residents of the posh Yaafour district, on the outskirts of Damascus, were startled when they saw several motorbikes with US licence plates this week.

The bikers, who wore basketball caps and carried American flags scared bystanders who had just, three weeks ago, learned of the American strike on the Syrian airbase in Homs. Minutes later, cars whizzed by, also carrying US licence plates, and one suited blonde man walked out wearing a red necktie, with a remarkable resemblance to US President Donald Trump.

Shocked residents poured out on the streets once news spread that Trump was in their neighbourhood.

But within minutes, the spectators realised it was merely a video shoot for an upcoming comedy show “Spotlight” to be aired on Arabic satellite TV this Ramadan.

This will be the first time since 1960 that a US president is depicted on a Syrian television show.

Trump will be played by prominent Syrian actor Salloum Haddad — famed for his portrayal of historical figures such as the pre-Islamic era poet Abu Laila Al Muhalhil as well Nizar Qabbani, an iconic poet of contemporary times.

Syrian actress Wafa Mousilli will play Hillary Clinton.

This is not the first time Damascus residents were startled by the filming of a television show.

In April, residents of Al Rawda neighbourhood panicked after hearing a loud explosion.

Terrified residents peeled out onto the streets to find a car set ablaze surrounded by blood-stained bodies.

They later realised it was just a scene out of the 2017 soap opera “Shawk” which depicts the present war in Syria.

source: GULF NEWS