Dana Carvey Just Schooled Alec Baldwin, Leftists on How To Treat a President

By Kara Pendleton

Both men have impersonated presidents on “Saturday Night Live.” But one did so with respect, the other does so with animosity.

Actor and comedian Dana Carvey, who played former President George H.W. Bush on the NBC comedy sketch show, actually had a friendly relationship with Bush in real life. The same cannot be said of actor Alec Baldwin, who impersonates President Donald Trump on “SNL.”

In the wake of Bush’s death, Carvey released a statement to MSNBC about the man he got to know in real life — a man with whom he did charity events and exchanged letters after Bush left the presidency. And it was a lesson for Baldwin and every Trump-hater in the entertainment world about how Americans treat a president.

Carvey said, “It was an honor and a privilege to know and spend time with George H.W. Bush for over 25 years. When I think of those times, what I remember most is how hard we would laugh. I will miss my friend.”

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One of the most amazing events featuring both men was during a Christmas celebration at the White House in which Bush personally invited Carvey to perform with his impersonation of him.

Although Carvey seemed a bit uncomfortable about it at first, Bush laughed the whole time and when invited up to the podium by Carvey, showed his own sense of humor and grace. He had words of high praise for Carvey.

Contrast that with what we see of how Baldwin speaks about Trump.

The United States has a National Socialist tumor in its body and it is growing day by day.

This alone should compel you to do everything in your power to get rid of Trump.

— HABFoundation (@ABFalecbaldwin) November 21, 2018

Retweet if you think Trump should spare us the expense and time and simply resign now.

— HABFoundation (@ABFalecbaldwin) November 29, 2018

Everyone who has a relationship with Trump is diminished by it.

— HABFoundation (@ABFalecbaldwin) November 29, 2018

Even the way Baldwin approaches impersonating Trump is a far cry from the good-natured, fun way Carvey impersonated Bush. Carvey’s impersonation and friendship with Bush for so many years is a huge slap in the face to hateful Hollywood.

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Here is a tweet with a clip of Carvey impersonating Bush. Note the type of humor and tone used.

This was when Dana Carvey’s endearing impression of George H. W. Bush really hit its stride https://t.co/Gku2RZRtbe

— Bill Scher (@billscher) December 1, 2018

Now compare that to a clip of Baldwin impersonating Trump. Note in this one, too, the type of humor and tone used.

That MBS-Putin high five happened just yesterday and #SNL already spoofed it with Fred Armisen playing the Crown Prince. Alec Baldwin’s Trump is so mad when he finds out they are BFFs. pic.twitter.com/wfQAa5pNpb

— Adam Best (@adamcbest) December 2, 2018

The resulting friendship Carvey and Bush shared shows how a professional entertainer can produce true comedy, have good-natured fun, and still be respectful of the president.

The way Bush laughed at himself and befriended the man who regularly poked fun at him on television also sets a clear example of how to have grace and class. But the style of Carvey’s humor — comic without being personally insulting — made that kind of reaction possible.

And that, the good-natured comedy, the respect, the class, and the grace, are all things we could use more of in politics.

Hollywood could learn a strong lesson from one of their own about how to do that.