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Viral Clip Of Karl Rove Doing His Impersonation Of Trump Has Audience Laughing Uncontrollably

This is hilarious!

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A recent clip of Karl Rove performing his impersonation of former President Donald Trump at The Atlantic Festival has taken social media by storm. The video, which features Rove mocking Trump’s rhetorical style and political promises, left the audience laughing uncontrollably. The clip, shared by The Atlantic’s official Twitter account, shows Rove on stage with political strategist David Axelrod and journalist Elaina Plott Calabro discussing the stakes of the 2024 election. But it was Rove’s spot-on impersonations of both Trump and former President Bill Clinton that stole the show.

Karl Rove’s Trump Impersonation

During the discussion, Rove highlighted his views on Trump’s political ideology—or lack thereof—before launching into an impression that had the audience in stitches. Rove noted that Trump only had a few “touch points” of ideological consistency. He stated:

“He [Trump] has no ideology. He has a couple of touch points that one of which he stumbled on. You know, coming down that stair, he talked about he’d have to when he got down the golden escalator border and tariffs, which he’s long been on. But the rest of this stuff, you know…”

Rove then slipped into a Trump impersonation, saying, “Everybody should have IVF.” The audience erupted in laughter, and Rove quickly warned them, “And don’t don’t do it. It just encourages me. You know?” This self-aware quip only fueled the laughter more.

The Humor Behind the Impersonation

The humor in Rove’s impersonation was not just in the mimicry, but in the way he juxtaposed Trump’s often chaotic and mismatched policy statements. Rove delivered another punchline with his impersonation of Trump’s acceptance speech:

“We’re gonna cure Alzheimer’s and cancer very quickly, and men will not be allowed to participate in women’s sports.”

Rove then broke character to add, “Like, when I get up in the morning, those two things are right there in front of me linked together inexorably.” The absurdity of linking such disparate issues drew hearty laughter from the audience and highlighted the inconsistency Rove sees in Trump’s political messaging.

Why Rove Believes Trump Is Bad for the Republican Party

Karl Rove has long been vocal about his criticisms of Donald Trump, often arguing that Trump’s unconventional approach and disregard for traditional Republican values are detrimental to the party. He believes that Trump’s influence has alienated moderate voters and undermined the GOP’s ability to present a cohesive policy platform. After Trump debate Harris – Rove wrote in the Wall Street Journal:

“There’s no putting lipstick on this pig. Trump was crushed by a woman he previously dismissed as ‘dumb as a rock.’ Which raises the question: What does that make him?”

Rove’s criticisms extend to the impact Trump has had on the party’s electoral chances. He says that Trump needs to be more disciplined or it’s going to cost him:

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“In order to force the media to cover your message, you need to be disciplined, focused, and short. And then they’ve got no option except report to the people of Pennsylvania, people of Arizona, whatever it is you wanna have,” Rove said.

The political strategist spoke on Fox News‘ The Story after Trump’s appearance in Pennsylvania. According to Rove, it was a smart move from Trump to come to one of the most important swing states but he said the former president’s speech needs a clearer message.

“They’re gonna pick out something like he just said, casting aspersions on Kamala Harris or President Biden,” Rove said. “You give them something big, outlandish and claims about this or that, the dominant media is gonna pick out something nationwide that’s not gonna be helpful to him. The local media may or may not get it right.”

Rove’s Clinton Impersonation Adds to the Fun

After his Trump impression, Rove didn’t stop there. He went on to impersonate former President Bill Clinton, capturing his Southern drawl and characteristic mannerisms perfectly. Rove, as Clinton, said:

“Hillary is the most qualified person. She’s more qualified than I was. She’s just a marvelous individual. She’ll do a fantastic job.”

The audience once again erupted in laughter, showcasing Rove’s versatility and sense of humor. While the impressions were done in jest, they also underscored Rove’s critiques of both Trump and Clinton, albeit in a more lighthearted manner.

The Bigger Picture

Karl Rove’s comedic turn at The Atlantic Festival might have provided some levity, but his criticisms of Trump are rooted in serious concerns about the future of the Republican Party. Rove, who played a key role in shaping the GOP’s modern strategy during George W. Bush’s presidency, sees Trump’s influence as a threat to the party’s foundational principles.

Rove has been a consistent critic of Donald Trump.  Here’s some of his greatest hits:

As the 2024 election approaches, Rove’s warnings and critiques may resonate with a party still grappling with Trump’s legacy. Whether or not the GOP heeds his advice remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Rove’s impersonations will be remembered as a humorous yet poignant critique of the state of American politics.

While Karl Rove’s impressions provided a brief moment of comedy, they also served as a sharp reminder of the challenges facing the Republican Party. His criticisms of Trump’s lack of ideological consistency and focus on personality over policy reflect deeper concerns about the GOP’s future direction. As the party navigates the upcoming election, it will need to reconcile these internal divisions if it hopes to present a united front to the American electorate.

For now, though, it seems that Rove’s lighthearted impersonations have offered a moment of levity in an otherwise tense political climate. And judging by the audience’s reaction, sometimes humor is the best way to drive home a serious point.

Featured image via screengrab

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Shay Maz

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Shay Maz has been a political writer for many years. This is a pseudonym for writing; if you need to contact her - you may do so here: https://x.com/SheilaGouldman

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