On ‘The Late Show,’ Laura Benanti’s Melania Trump Impersonation Delivers a Sharp Holiday Jab, Igniting Online Frenzy

In a segment that blended holiday cheer with biting political satire, actress Laura Benanti reprised her role as Melania Trump on CBS’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” last month, delivering a punchline that swiftly transformed a lighthearted sketch into a viral sensation. The joke, which alluded to the former first lady’s affection for her husband occurring “once a year,” prompted immediate gasps and laughter from the studio audience, while online, it sparked a cascade of memes, debates and renewed scrutiny of the Trumps’ marriage. The episode, aired on Dec. 16, 2025, has since amassed millions of views across social media platforms, underscoring the enduring power of late-night comedy to pierce the veil of public personas.

The sketch unfolded during a mock interview where Colbert, playing the affable host, welcomed Benanti’s Melania to discuss her holiday traditions. Dressed in a festive red outfit reminiscent of Melania Trump’s signature style—elegant yet distant—Benanti embodied the former first lady with a Slovenian-accented monotone that has become a hallmark of her impersonations. Colbert began innocuously, asking about her love for Christmas. “Oh, Stephen, I love Christmas,” Benanti’s Melania replied, her voice laced with exaggerated detachment. She elaborated on the decorations at Trump Tower, painting a picture of opulent trees and lights, but the conversation took a turn when Colbert probed deeper into her enthusiasm.

The pivotal moment came when Benanti’s character compared her fondness for the holiday to her feelings for Donald Trump. “I love Christmas the same way I love my husband,” she said, pausing for dramatic effect before delivering the zinger: “Once a year. Jingle boom.” The line landed like a verbal firecracker. The studio audience initially froze in a collective inhale—a mix of shock and recognition—before erupting into uproarious laughter and applause. Colbert, ever the quick-witted host, feigned surprise, covering his mouth in mock horror while grinning, amplifying the comedic tension. Benanti remained in character, her face impassive, which only heightened the absurdity and sharpness of the jab.

This wasn’t Benanti’s first rodeo as Melania; she has portrayed the former first lady on the show since 2016, often highlighting perceived aloofness and marital strains through subtle exaggerations. In past appearances, Benanti’s Melania has quipped about “Be Best” initiatives or White House life with a wry edge, but this latest installment struck a particularly resonant chord. The “once a year” quip cleverly played on long-standing public perceptions of the Trumps’ relationship, fueled by viral moments like Melania swatting away Donald’s hand during public appearances or her stoic expressions at events. Insiders familiar with the production, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the rehearsal as electric, with the line eliciting similar reactions from the crew—initial discomfort giving way to cathartic humor.

Reactions poured in almost immediately. On X (formerly Twitter), the clip trended under hashtags like #MelaniaOnceAYear and #ColbertChristmas, with users creating memes superimposing the quote over holiday cards or Trump family photos. One post from a comedy account amassed over 10,000 likes, captioning a edited image of Melania at a Christmas tree with the punchline, eliciting comments ranging from “Savage!” to “Too real.” Critics of the Trumps hailed it as spot-on satire, while supporters decried it as mean-spirited and sexist, arguing it unfairly targeted a private citizen.

Behind the scenes, the fallout reportedly extended to the Trump camp. Sources close to the former president, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, claimed Donald Trump viewed the segment shortly after airing and was incensed. Described as “furious,” he allegedly vented to aides about the “humiliating hit,” viewing it as an intrusion into personal territory rather than mere comedy. This aligns with Trump’s history of lashing out at late-night hosts; he has previously called Colbert “unfunny” and threatened boycotts. Aides scrambled to downplay the moment, labeling it “cheap satire” in off-the-record briefings, even as shares continued to climb.

For Melania Trump herself, the response was more subdued but no less poignant. Publicly silent on the matter, insiders suggest she was “visibly shaken” upon learning of the viral clip, which reopened wounds from years of speculation about her marriage. Since Donald Trump’s first presidential campaign, rumors of discord have persisted—amplified by books like Stephanie Winston Wolkoff’s “Melania and Me,” which detailed alleged tensions. Friends of the former first lady portray her as resilient yet weary of such narratives, emphasizing her focus on family and philanthropy. The joke, they say, cut close to home by echoing tabloid whispers, turning a punchline into an uncomfortable mirror.

The incident highlights broader dynamics in American media and politics. Late-night shows like Colbert’s have long served as outlets for cultural commentary, especially during Trump’s tenure, when satire often blurred with reality. As one media analyst noted, “Humor like this thrives on truth kernels; it’s why it spreads.” With the 2026 midterms looming, such moments could reignite discussions about Trump’s personal life influencing his public image.

As the clip continues to circulate—despite no efforts to remove it—the saga underscores comedy’s double-edged sword: eliciting laughs while exposing vulnerabilities. In an era of instant virality, a single line can evolve from studio banter to a full-blown cultural touchstone, leaving audiences to ponder where jest ends and reality begins.