‘The Gilded Age’ star Denée Benton likens Ron DeSantis to a great KKK wizard during his Tony Awards speech, drawing thunderous applause from the New York audience
- Actress Denée Benton took aim at Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during Sunday’s Tony Awards ceremony, calling him a “great magician.”
- Benton, known for her work in The Gilded Age and on Broadway, presented a Florida high school teacher with an award for outstanding achievement in drama education
- She joked that DeSantis was trying to change the name of the teacher’s town to Plantation, Florida, while the New York audience roared with laughter
Denée Benton, the star of HBO’s The Gilded Age and Broadway veteran, compared Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to a “great magician” from the KKK during a live broadcast of the Tony Awards Sunday night.
The term is historically associated with the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), with the “Grand Wizard” being the organization’s senior leader.
Benton, who is from Orlando, presented a special Tony Award to Jason Zembuch-Young, a teacher from Plantation, Florida, on stage.
“Though I’m sure the current great wizard – I’m sorry.” “Excuse me – the governor of my home state of Florida will change the name of this next city (Planation, Florida) immediately…” Benton stated while she pretended to miss the governor’s name.
Actress Denée Benton took aim at Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during Sunday’s Tony Awards ceremony, calling him a “great magician.”
She joked that DeSantis would try to change the name of the teacher’s town to Plantation, Florida, while New York audiences (including actress Lily Rabe, second from left) cheered
Benton’s comments appeared to acknowledge DeSantis’ Florida legislative push to enact racist and discriminatory measures restricting school curricula to American history, and other similar moves during his tenure.
She also toyed with the meaning of the word “plantation” — the town from which an awardee came.
Benton continued, “I’m sure he will change the name of this next city immediately, but we were honored to present this award to the truly incredible and life-changing Jason Zembuch Young.” [for] Improving the lives of students at South Plantation High School in Plantation, Florida.”
Her remarks received several seconds of thunderous applause from the assembled audience at the ceremony in Upper Manhattan. Benton laughed at the enthusiastic response.
Benton’s comments appeared to acknowledge DeSantis’ Florida legislative push to enact racist and discriminatory measures restricting school curricula to American history, and other similar moves during his tenure
Benton is perhaps best known for her role as Pegg Scott in The Gilded Age, seen at right, with Simon Jones playing the butler Bannister
Denee Benton poses on the red carpet at the 76th Annual Tony Awards in New York on Sunday
Governor DeSantis recently announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential election, ushering in a possible race against Donald Trump.
DeSantis is a pariah on Broadway and Hollywood after campaigning for Don’t Say Gay legislation that threatened to undo decades of hard-won civil rights gains.
The governor has also taken issue with Hollywood in its disputes with Disney over special tax breaks granted to the company in the Sunshine State.
Benton gained recognition in the theater world after earning a Tony nomination in 2017 for her portrayal of Natasha in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.
She has also appeared on Broadway as Eliza Hamilton in Hamilton and Cinderella in Into the Woods.