Radio personality John Melendez, otherwise known as “Stuttering John” from his days as shock jock Howard Stern’s sidekick, prank-called the White House over the weekend — and claims he was later put through to the president.
Melendez, who launched a podcast in April, reportedly prank-called the White House and, along with a friend, pretended to be Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who recently beat federal corruption charges after the Justice Department dropped its case following a hung jury and a mistrial.
The comedian alleges that White House senior adviser Jared Kushner called him back — and then patched him through to Air Force One.
Melendez released audio in which he appears to be talking to the president. The voice on the other line can be heard congratulating “Menendez” (presumably for “winning” his case) and is later heard saying, “I think we can do a real immigration bill.”
Melendez, posing as Menendez, ends the phone call by saying, “Thank you, Mr. President.”
The comedian said in an interview with “Inside Edition” after the call that he was unaware of Sen. Menendez’s corruption charges.
John Melendez’s background includes a gig with Howard Stern’s radio program — a show on which President Trump was a guest many times — and as the announcer for “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
The Secret Service reportedly is questioning Melendez — who has hired Michael Avenatti as his lawyer.
Avenatti, of course, previously represented controversial porn actress Stormy Daniels.
(photo credit, homepage and article images: TMZ)
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