DeSantis’ Presidential Campaign Ends Without Much Late-Night Comedy Attention

Introduction

Ron DeSantis’ eight-month-long presidential campaign fizzled out without generating the same level of comedy material as Donald Trump’s. Despite his lack of charisma and ease, DeSantis’ campaign received minimal attention from late-night talk shows, and he never received a full-on impression on “Saturday Night Live.”

Lack of Ease and Charisma

DeSantis’ lack of ease and charisma made him a target for late-night hosts. Stephen Colbert advised DeSantis to practice smiling, while Jimmy Kimmel pointed out that DeSantis’ campaign spent a significant amount of money per vote in Iowa. Seth Meyers called DeSantis the first candidate to “compete with Trump in the weirdness category,” but noted that unlike Trump, DeSantis is both weird and boring.

The Absence of a “Saturday Night Live” Impression

DeSantis never received a full-on impression on “Saturday Night Live,” despite coming close when cast member John Higgins played him in a sketch parodying a GOP debate. In the sketch, Higgins’ DeSantis was the only character without any speaking lines, highlighting the lack of interest in DeSantis among the show’s writers.

Comparison to Donald Trump

In contrast to DeSantis, Donald Trump was a bonanza for comedy writers due to his fame, known mannerisms, and frequent appearances on “Saturday Night Live.” Trump was impersonated by multiple cast members, indicating his widespread recognition and cultural significance.

The Importance of Media Attention

Republican public relations consultant Alex Conant emphasized the importance of media attention for presidential campaigns, including coverage on comedy shows like “Saturday Night Live.” Conant believes that media attention can break candidates out of the political media bubble and into general pop culture, which is beneficial for their campaigns.

Lack of Public Interest in DeSantis

Conant attributes DeSantis’ lack of late-night comedy attention to the broader lack of public interest in his primary campaign. He suggests that DeSantis remained confined to conservative media and failed to break into the general pop culture consciousness.

Conclusion

Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign ended without receiving the cultural marker of a full-on impression on “Saturday Night Live.” This reflects the lack of ease and charisma that late-night hosts found in DeSantis, as well as the broader lack of public interest in his campaign. In contrast, Donald Trump’s fame and mannerisms made him a popular target for comedy writers, resulting in numerous impressions and sketches on “Saturday Night Live.”