College Student’s Trump Impersonation Goes Viral

Rylan Ferguson, a 7-foot-tall college student, recently gained attention for his Donald Trump impersonation at a rally in Georgia. Despite the viral nature of the act, he emphasized that his mimicry was meant as a gesture of respect, not ridicule. Ferguson described his performance as a “sincere form of flattery.”

Speaking to Newsweek, the 21-year-old junior at the University of Alabama explained his comfort during the event. He linked it to the familiarity with the venue, Wheeler High School, where he had graduated just two years prior. “My friends were sitting right beside me and because of that, you know, I felt very comfortable,” he said.

Ferguson was unsure if cameras had captured his actions, which involved mouthing Trump’s speech and replicating his gestures. “I was just having a little fun,” he noted, reiterating his innocuous intent.

The unexpected attention left Ferguson surprised but unfazed. Known for his extroverted personality, he received a flood of responses from friends and reporters. Reflecting on his actions, he explained, “If you know me, that’s just my personality.”

Although celebrated among his friends for his Trump impersonation skills, Ferguson had no intention to dominate the rally. Hailing from Marietta, Georgia, he was motivated to attend due to the exceptional nature of a presidential visit to his former school. “A sitting president coming to your high school—that just doesn’t happen every day,” he reasoned.

Despite identifying as politically independent, Ferguson expressed a desire to meet Trump, although he anticipated the fervor around his actions to fade. “I think that’d be cool, but I think this will probably blow over soon,” he commented, acknowledging the global recognition his act received.

Footage of Ferguson’s mimicry went viral, eliciting varied responses. Some viewers perceived his enthusiastic gestures as an attempt at brief fame. Among the reactions was a lighthearted remark from comedian Jimmy Fallon, noting Ferguson’s presence as a “little distracting” during Trump’s speech.

The decision to attend the rally came at the last minute, spurred by a friend’s suggestion. Ferguson dressed formally for the occasion, reflecting the significance of encountering a sitting president. While some criticized his conduct, he maintained that his intentions were purely for amusement. “Some people are criticizing me. Some people on the right said it’s rude, and then other people on the left, you know, they were really excited about it,” he explained.