Sacha Baron Cohen believes that Donald Trump possesses "elements of brilliance", arguing that critics have routinely "underestimated" the US president.

The 55-year-old actor sat down with the politician in character as Ali G for Da Ali G Show in 2003, and maintains that the public failed to judge him accurately.

Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast , Baron Cohen said: "I mean, how has he survived a second term? People underestimated him.

"We were too easy to dismiss him as a nincompoop. There are elements of brilliance to him, otherwise.

"And that explains his appeal with the fact that he's there for a second term, the fact that he's transforming this country.…