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The Tony Awards were held Sunday night and televised live on CBS and Paramount+. I did not watch the show but a tweet caught my eye. It had to do with an actress and a Ku Klux Klan reference to Governor Ron DeSantis.
Actress Denee Benton was on stage to present the Excellence in Theatre Education Award from Carnegie Mellow University. The 2023 recipient of the award is Jason Zembuch Young of South Plantation High School in Plantation, Florida. In her remarks leading up to the award presentation, Benton noted that she is a CMU alum and that she is from Florida.
Then she launched into a random attack on the governor of her home state, because, of course, she did. He is a Republican running for president so he must be attacked in the most vile way on a broadcast going out to the country, and the world, via live television.
Actress Denée Benton refers to Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) as “grand wizard” at the 76th Annual Tony Awards:
“While I am certain that the certain Grand Wizard — I’m sorry, excuse me — governor of my home state of Florida …” pic.twitter.com/m4O6aBK6KS
The Recount (@therecount) June 12, 2023
“Earlier tonight, CMU and the Tony Awards presented the 2023 Excellence in Theatre Education Award. And while I am certain that the current Grand Wizard — I’m sorry, excuse me, governor — of my home state of Florida…,” she said, as the audience applauded. “I am sure that he will changing the name of this following town immediately. We were honored to present this award to the truly incredible and life-changing Jason Zembuch Young, enhancing the lives at students at South Plantation High School in Plantation, Florida.
