Former American president is comical orange character (8)

I believe the answer is:

garfield

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'former american president' is the definition.
'garfield' can be an answer for 'president' (I've seen this before). I am not sure about the 'former american' bit.

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for garfield that I've seen before include "comic strip" , "A murdered US president" , "Presidential" , "Cartoon cat" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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