In a clever blend of digital editing and musical theater, Ariana Grande recently transformed into Glinda the Good Witch from "Wicked" to deliver a pointed critique of President Donald Trump's dismal approval ratings. The spoof, featured on "The Late Show," uses quick edits and creative sorcery to merge real-life negative news reports with Grande's performance, highlighting Trump's sinking public appeal in a humorous yet biting manner.
A Musical Confrontation with Political Reality
The segment begins with a supercut of actual news clips detailing Trump's declining popularity, setting the stage for Grande's Glinda to confront the president directly. Singing to the tune of the hit song "Popular" from the musical, she delivers lines that underscore his controversial actions and policies. "Unpopular, you're deeply unpopular," she croons, adding specific references such as, "Dictators make you smile, so does this pedophile, you sent ICE to the heartland. You tweet racist memes and make children scream with your hideous corpse-like hands."
Historical Unpopularity and Economic Critiques
Grande continues the musical assault by emphasizing Trump's historical unpopularity, singing, "Unpopular, historically unpopular, you trashed Bad Bunny and the economy, and tore the East Wing down." This verse not only mocks his public feuds and economic policies but also suggests a desire to reverse his poll numbers, with Glinda urging, "So let's start turning your poll numbers around." The performance cleverly uses satire to reflect broader public sentiment, as evidenced by recent approval ratings that have shown significant declines.
Trump's Response and the Lost Cause
In response to Glinda's efforts, the spoof includes a clip of Trump from his State of the Union address, where he exclaims, "These people are crazy." This outburst, edited into the segment, highlights his dismissive attitude toward critics. Ultimately, Glinda concedes defeat, concluding with a resigned "Never mind" as she realizes the futility of changing his stance or improving his popularity. The video serves as a sharp commentary on the polarized political climate, using entertainment to underscore the challenges of public perception in modern politics.
This "Late Show" spoof not only showcases Ariana Grande's vocal talents but also demonstrates how pop culture can intersect with political discourse to create engaging and thought-provoking content. By blending real news footage with musical satire, it offers a unique perspective on Trump's ongoing struggles with approval ratings, resonating with audiences who follow both entertainment and current events.