Awards season makes me think of the pioneer of the red carpet interview, and one of my personal idol’s, Joan Rivers. Thinking about Rivers also makes me wonder what the famous comedienne would have to say about recent events, especially regarding President Trump. Rivers was a contestant and winner of Trump's reality show, "Celebrity Apprentice". On the show, she was portrayed as respectful and friendly towards the billionaire. But now that he's president and with the stances he is taking on several issues, especially LGBTQ issues that were very close to Rivers' heart, I cannot help but to wonder what she would do or say if she were still alive to witness these current events.
Rivers passed away on September 4, 2014 after complications during what was supposed to be a minor surgery. She is survived by her daughter Melissa, grandson Cooper, and her long line of contributions to the fields of fashion, live red carpet interviews, and comedy. She was never afraid of the consequences of speaking her mind and putting her opinions out there, and it is for those reasons that I find myself wondering WWJD (What Would Joan Do) given these current events?
Despite the respectful relationship that Rivers seemed to have had with Trump given her time on "Celebrity Apprentice", I cannot see her keeping quiet or defending his recent actions. Rivers would have had complete field day with all the material that the campaign and now Trump’s term in office is providing. That was the best thing about Rivers: even if she respected you she would not be afraid to call you out and make fun of you. This in turn makes me wonder if given the comments Rivers would have undoubtedly made, would Trump troll her on Twitter like he has with so many other celebrities and companies that have spoken against him? Rivers and Trump supposedly had a mutual respect but would his recent comments and political stances have changed that mutual respect?
Every time I watch the news or get a news alert on my phone about some new policy Trump’s administration is putting forward, or someone comment he or his staff has made I ask myself WWJD? I have no doubt in my mind that she would be roasting Kellyanne Conway and speaking up on behalf of those campaigns and issues that she strongly believed in. You would have most definitely seen Rivers at the Women’s March in New York City back in January, probably in one of her big fur coats.
Unfortunately, we will never know what Joan Rivers would be saying or doing with our current events. However looking at her legacy gives us some indications. Rivers would undoubtedly stand up for what she believes in. She would candidly and unapologetically voice her opinions. And she would definitely inject some of her own unique humor into these situations.
