Jack Aiello is an 8th-grader who has long been obsessed with politics. He sometimes turns on old presidential debates - like the ones from years before he was born - while he finishes his homework. He's also a gifted performer with a knack for impressions.
So it was natural for him to turn to his two favorite subjects as he wrote a speech for his graduation ceremony from Thomas Middle School in the Chicago area. He performed rollicking and uncannily accurate renditions of stump speeches in the style of the major candidates for president.
"Watching all the debates and the press conferences I picked up a lot of their mannerisms and the things that they say regularly," Jack said.
In his eight-minute speech he impersonated Donald Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz, President Obama, Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders. A video capturing his impressions is circulating widely on social media.
Jack nailed Trump's signature hand gestures and particular way of saying "China." He also perfectly mimicked Cruz's nasally Texas twang and Obama's staccato-style delivery.
Impersonating Clinton, Jack studied the candidate's vocabulary and penchant for the word "champion." For Sanders, Jack gestured with both fists curled and his index fingers in the air as he described his middle school in a raspy Brooklyn accent as being in the "top one-half of one-half of one percent of schools in the entire country."
"Ever since the election started I started to impersonate them," Jack said of the candidates. "The whole political arena is fascinating."
Jack joined his family for a trip to Iowa to attend campaign rallies for Sanders, Carly Fiorina and Sens. Marco Rubio and Rand Paul. He even got to meet the candidates and shake their hands.
For now, Jack is on summer break before starting his first year of high school. He's keeping his options open for the future, but with spot-on political impressions he's interested on being a cast member for "Saturday Night Live" or perhaps even campaigning for office himself.
"Maybe even running for president or something," he said.
Either way, even as an 8th-grader, Jack seems to understand that political leaders and comedians share a certain quality in reverse: One acts presidential while the other is a presidential act.
When it comes to both, Jack is no joke.
TWEET YOUR COMMENT