The Gilded Age star Denée Benton likens Ron DeSantis to a KKK Grand Wizard throughout Tony Awards speech

Denée Benton, the star of HBO‘s The Gilded Age and a Broadway veteran, in contrast Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to a KKK ‘grand wizard’ throughout a stay broadcast of the Tony Awards on Sunday night time. 

The time period is traditionally related to the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), with the ‘grand wizard’ being the highest-ranking chief of the group. 

Benton, who hails from Orlando was onstage presenting a particular Tony Award to Jason Zembuch-Younger, a trainer from Plantation, Florida.    

‘Whereas I am sure that the present grand wizard — I am sorry. Excuse me — governor of my house state of Florida shall be altering the identify of this following city (Planation, Florida) instantly…’ Benton said as she pretended to slide up over the governor’s identify.

Actor Denée Benton took purpose at Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis throughout Sunday’s Tony Awards ceremony, referring to him as a ‘grand wizard’

She quipped DeSantis can be seeking to change the identify of the trainer’s city, Plantation, Florida, whereas the New York viewers (together with actress Lily Rabe, second left) cheered

Benton’s remarks appeared to acknowledge DeSantis’ legislative push in Florida to enact racist and discriminatory insurance policies proscribing faculty curriculums on American historical past, along with different comparable strikes throughout his time in workplace. 

She additionally appeared the play off the which means of the phrase ‘Plantation’ – the city from which an award recipient was from.

Benton continued: ‘I’m certain that he shall be altering the identify of this following city instantly, however we have been honored to current this award to the actually unbelievable and life-changing Jason Zembuch Younger, [for] enhancing the lives of scholars at South Plantation Excessive College in Plantation, Florida.’ 

Her remarks obtained a number of seconds of rapturous applause from the gathered viewers on the ceremony held in higher Manhattan. Benton couldn’t assist however snicker on the enthusiastic response.

Benton’s remarks appeared to acknowledge DeSantis’ legislative push in Florida to enact racist and discriminatory insurance policies proscribing faculty curriculums on American historical past, along with different comparable strikes throughout his time in workplace

Benton is maybe finest identified for her position as Pegg Scott in The Gilded Age, seen proper, with Simon Jones who performs butler, Bannister

Denee Benton poses on the pink carpet on the 76th Annual Tony Awards in New York on Sunday 

Governor DeSantis not too long ago introduced his candidacy for the Republican nomination within the 2024 presidential election, organising a possible race in opposition to Donald Trump. 

DeSantis is a pariah on Broadway and in Hollywood after he championed ‘Do not Say Homosexual’ laws that threatened to reverse a long time of hard-won civil rights good points. 

The governor has additionally taken on Hollywood in his battles with Disney over particular tax breaks that got to the corporate within the Sunshine State.

Benton gained recognition within the theater world following a with a Tony nomination in 2017 for her portrayal of Natasha in ‘Natasha, Pierre & The Nice Comet of 1812.’ 

She has additionally appeared on Broadway as Eliza Hamilton in ‘Hamilton’ and as Cinderella in ‘Into the Woods.’