Laura Benanti's Melania Trump Impression Delivers Hilarious Critique on The Late Show
In a side-splitting segment on Wednesday's episode of The Late Show, host Stephen Colbert turned to Broadway veteran Laura Benanti for a comedic take on Melania Trump's new documentary. Unlike the real first lady, Benanti's parody version cuts straight to the point with biting humor that left audiences laughing.
Melania Trump's Documentary Premiere Sparks Confusion
The segment began with Colbert playing a clip from the Washington, D.C., premiere of Melania Trump's documentary, simply titled Melania. In the clip, the first lady attempts to explain the film's purpose, calling it a very deliberate act of authorship that invites viewers to witness events and emotions through a window of rich imagery. She added that it offers perspectives, insights, and moments that only a few have seen, leaving Colbert visibly puzzled and uttering, What? in response to what he described as word salad.
Benanti's Parody Mocks Trump's Purple Prose
Seeking clarity, Colbert introduced Benanti's long-running impression of Melania Trump, which she has portrayed on the show since 2016. The Tony winner wasted no time in mocking Trump's elaborate language, delivering a hilarious spoof of the documentary's description. Benanti began by mimicking the first lady's pronunciation of film as fil-em, then quipped, This fil-em is a deliberate window of tapestries draped over a rich bedframe of insights that are so authorship, few have ever seen it and even less have wanted to. This joke cleverly referenced the poor reviews the actual documentary has received, adding a layer of satire to the performance.
Sharp Humor Targets Financial Motives and Family
When Colbert pressed for a simpler explanation of what the movie is about, Benanti's response was blunt and humorous: Oh, it's about $28 million in my pocket, she said, referring to reports that Melania Trump was paid that amount by Amazon for the film. She punctuated it with a playful Cha-ching! showcasing the parody's focus on the financial aspects behind the project.
Benanti didn't stop there, delivering brutal jokes about other figures, including one aimed at Eric Trump. In a moment from the documentary where Melania sings along to Michael Jackson's Billie Jean, calling it her favorite song, Colbert asked why she loves it so much. Benanti's reply was a witty play on the song's lyrics: Let's just say it brings a smile to my face every time I look at Eric, and think 'the kid is not my son,' before moonwalking out of frame, leaving the audience in stitches.
Why This Parody Resonates with Audiences
This segment highlights how Benanti's impression has become a staple on The Late Show, using humor to critique public figures and media events. By contrasting the real Melania Trump's vague statements with Benanti's straightforward and funny parody, the show offers a refreshing take on celebrity culture and documentary filmmaking. It underscores the power of satire in entertainment to provide insight and laughter, making complex topics more accessible and engaging for viewers across Canada and beyond.
