Actress Compares Ron DeSantis To KKK ‘Grand Wizard’ Throughout Award Present Speech
Actress Denée Benton immediately in contrast Republican Florida Governor and 2024 presidential candidate Ron DeSantis to the “Grand Wizard” of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) in a speech delivered Sunday evening on the 2023 Tony Awards present.
Benton made reference to “the present Grand Wizard — I’m sorry, excuse me — governor of my residence state of Florida” on the Tony Awards, an annual ceremony for Broadway performs and musicals. Her equation of the conservative governor to the nationwide chief of the KKK acquired applause from the New York Metropolis viewers.
Denée Benton on the #TonyAwards on Ron DeSantis: “Whereas I’m sure that the present Grand Wizard … I’m sorry. Excuse me, governor of my residence state of Florida…” pic.twitter.com/7YZMeXbQRw
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) June 12, 2023
“Whereas I’m certain the present Grand Wizard — I’m sorry, excuse me — governor of my residence state of Florida can be altering the title of this following city instantly, we have been honored to current this award to the really unbelievable and life-changing Jason Zembuch Younger … at South Plantation Excessive Faculty in Plantation, Florida,” Benton stated.
Benton has appeared within the Broadway manufacturing of “Hamilton” and several other different lesser-known stage and display productions, in accordance with her IMBD profile. She has appeared in profiles from The New York Occasions and Vainness Truthful, and directs her followers to “liberation sources” in her Instagram bio. (RELATED: Madonna: My Remark About ‘Blowing Up White Home’ Was ‘Taken Out Of Context’)
The black tie awards present offered tickets for $430 and above, in accordance with the Madison Sq. Backyard web site. A unique on-line vendor supplied to promote balcony tickets and an unique VIP afterparty expertise for about $2,000 every. Attendees included a few of Hollywood’s greatest names, in addition to transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, in accordance with Folks Journal.
Benton’s feedback come after a slew of legislative victories for the conservative governor, together with legal guidelines designed to take away left-wing ideologies from grade college curricula. DeSantis has taken specific difficulty with Vital Race Principle’s inclusion in Florida public colleges, resulting in blowback from left-wing teams and people like Benton asserting the ideology’s exclusion from colleges is equal to racism. The actual award Benton offered and referenced in her remarks had no express relation to politics or activism, in accordance with Selection.
DeSantis additionally has made headlines for his very public spat with Disney, which had opposed his legislative agenda whereas having fun with distinctive tax privileges. DeSantis is extensively thought of certainly one of two frontrunners for the 2024 Republican nomination for president together with Donald Trump.
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