The Rise and Fall of Political Impersonators: How Elections Shape Their Careers

The Shifting Landscape of Political Impersonation After the 2024 Election

In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election, the world of political impersonation underwent a significant shift. For Allison Reese, a comedian who gained fame for her uncanny impression of Vice President Kamala Harris, the election results marked the end of an era. Reese had built a lucrative career on her portrayal of Harris, amassing hundreds of thousands of followers on TikTok, landing national news interviews, and even securing a movie role. However, with Harris’s defeat, Reese found herself mourning the professional opportunities that would have likely come her way if Harris had won. Opportunities like late-night show appearances and a potential spot on Saturday Night Live (where she had previously auditioned as Harris in 2019) seemed to vanish overnight. This phenomenon is not unique to Reese; political impersonators often find their careers deeply intertwined with the fate of the politicians they portray.

The decline in demand for impersonators of Harris and former President Joe Biden following the election highlights the precarious nature of their profession. Political satire and impersonation have long been male-dominated fields, leaving female impersonators with even fewer opportunities. Rosemary Watson, a voice-over artist known for her Hillary Clinton impression, lamented the lack of prominent female political figures for impersonators to portray. “Republicans really need to up their game with the women because they’re not giving me anybody,” she said. Piotr Michael, a voice-over artist who impersonated Biden’s voice on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, also felt the impact. His bookings came to a halt when Biden dropped out of the race, though he managed one final appearance after Trump’s inauguration. For Michael, Biden’s departure was bittersweet, as he had carved out a niche for himself with a uniquely accurate and nuanced impression of the former president.

The Art and Challenge of Impersonating Politicians

Impersonating politicians is no easy feat, and the success of an impersonator often depends on their ability to capture the unique mannerisms, speech patterns, and charisma of their subject. Dana Carvey, a legendary figure in the world of political impersonation, knows this all too well. Carvey, who famously impersonated George H.W. Bush and Ross Perot in the early 1990s, briefly took on the role of Biden on Saturday Night Live in 2024. He described the challenge of impersonating Biden as “threading the needle,” aiming to make the impression funny while still staying true to Biden’s verbal quirks. Carvey’s experience highlights the dual responsibility of impersonators: to entertain while maintaining a level of authenticity that resonates with audiences.

The transient nature of political impersonation is perhaps best exemplified by the career of Vaughn Meader, who skyrocketed to fame in 1962 with his impression of John F. Kennedy. Meader’s album The First Family became a cultural phenomenon, cementing his place as one of the most successful political impersonators of his time. However, Meader’s career came to an abrupt end following Kennedy’s assassination in 1963. Overnight, his act became outdated, and his fame faded as quickly as it had begun. Meader often referred to the assassination as “the day I died,” a poignant reminder of how closely tied an impersonator’s career can be to the politician they portray.

The Enduring Legacy of Certain Politicians in Impersonation

Not all politicians fade from the public consciousness, and some continue to provide opportunities for impersonators long after they leave office. Reggie Brown, a former blogger turned Obama impersonator, has found sustained success by capitalizing on Barack Obama’s enduring cultural relevance. Since he began performing as Obama full-time in 2008, Brown has been booked for events ranging from retirement parties to corporate meetings, often appearing on Fox News. Despite being kicked offstage at a Republican Leadership Conference in 2011 for poking fun at GOP candidates while in character, Brown has maintained a robust career, with 80% of his bookings coming from conservatives. He remains baffled by this dynamic but grateful for the steady demand.

Brown’s best year came in 2017, Obama’s first year out of office, a trend that defies the experience of many other impersonators whose careers slow down after their subject leaves office. However, Brown acknowledges that Obama’s influence may finally be waning, with bookings beginning to decline. To adapt, he has diversified his income by working as a functional breathing instructor. Meanwhile, impersonators like Jim Meskimen, a veteran actor and impressionist, have found that certain politicians maintain relevance long after they leave office. Meskimen, who has impersonated everyone from Harry S. Truman to Jimmy Carter, notes that presidents’ legacies, decisions, and speeches become part of the historical record, giving impersonators a timeless subject to draw from.

The Unique Case of Donald Trump and the Ever-Changing Landscape

For John Di Domenico, a Las Vegas-based voice-over artist who has impersonated Donald Trump since 2004, the former president’s return to power has been a mixed blessing. Di Di