Rylan Ferguson claims his impersonation of Donald Trump at a Georgia rally was meant for entertainment, not as mockery. The 7-foot-tall extrovert described his viral moment as a respectful tribute to the president during a Friday interview, emphasizing it as “a sincere form of flattery.” Ferguson, a 21-year-old finance major at the University of Alabama, felt comfortable during the act, as he was surrounded by friends from high school, Wheeler High, where Trump delivered his speech.
“I was just having a little fun with it,” Ferguson mentioned to Newsweek, stating he didn’t know if cameras captured him. His spontaneous performance caught significant attention, but he expresses no regrets over the spotlight it has brought him. “I’m very extroverted,” he explained, adding that he’s known for his Trump impersonation among friends. Notably, Ferguson hadn’t planned to stand out at the rally but felt compelled to attend when he heard the president was visiting his alma mater.
Ferguson emphasized his political independence, insisting he would have attended the rally regardless of the visiting president, noting it as a rare event. He expressed a desire to meet Trump one day while acknowledging the temporary nature of his viral fame. “It could’ve been Biden, it could’ve been Obama. I wouldn’t care. A sitting president coming to your high school—that just doesn’t happen every day,” Ferguson commented.
The viral footage shows Ferguson mimicking Trump’s gestures, leading to mixed reactions. A segment of viewers interpreted his actions as seeking brief fame, while others found it amusing, regardless of political inclination. Comedian Jimmy Fallon jokingly highlighted Ferguson’s presence as a distraction during the speech.
Ferguson described his last-minute decision to attend the rally, influenced by a friend’s encouragement. Dressed in a suit, he aimed to respect the occasion, although he faced criticism from some, who either deemed it disrespectful or humorous based on their perspectives. “Some people are criticizing me,” he said, acknowledging the varied interpretations but reiterated it was all in good fun.
Those interested can reach out to Newsweek editors Jason Lemon and Sam Wilson for further details.