Bette Midler’s Parody Performance on “The Late Show”

Singer and actress Bette Midler made an appearance on “The Late Show” Tuesday night, treating host Stephen Colbert to a parody of her well-known song “Wind Beneath My Wings,” aimed squarely at former President Donald Trump.

During her performance, she commented, “Even with high ratings and big awards, it feels like it must have been pretty chilly here on ‘The Late Show.’ I think we deserve a better gig now that we’re more talked about than the Epstein files,” she sang. “Did you realize you are my Frodo? You embody everything that’s right, with charm and intelligence. I elevate you like an eagle, especially since you’ve never kissed an orange…”

At one moment, she encouraged the audience to join in with “I Never Kissed an Orange,” which sparked cheers from those in attendance.

Wrapping up her Tolkien-themed parody, the 79-year-old Midler sang, “Like Gandalf’s golden wings, fly, fly, fly! Thank you, thank you! Grateful for all things Lord of the Rings.”

Midler shared that Eric Kornfeld, who she had previously worked with on parodies mocking Trump, co-created the latest version of “Wind Beneath My Wings.” After the Supreme Court’s ruling in July 2024 that granted certain immunity to former presidents regarding actions taken in office, Midler collaborated with Kornfeld and “Hairspray” composer Marc Shaiman on a parody titled “If I Only Had a Brain,” based on “The Wizard of Oz.”

She uploaded a video where she sang about the Supreme Court’s decision on X, originally captioned with sarcasm about authoritarianism. The video has since been removed.

“It aches, Judge Thomas. Crimes you haven’t admitted to. We saw you on a plane. You judge women fairly. And your morals are questionable. If only you had a brain,” she performed. “Neil and Brett, you’re judges. Women hold grudges. If church and state stayed apart, reproductive confusion might lessen. If only we had hearts.”

According to reports, Midler faced criticism on social media after sharing this song, with some accusing it of being xenophobic toward transgender individuals.

Midler later clarified on X that the intent was not to be seen as “xenophobic or transphobic,” asserting that it reflects the struggles women have faced throughout history. “The reality is, democracy is slipping away! I’m dedicated to protecting democracy for everyone. We have to unite, because if we don’t, if we’re fragmented, we will surely fall apart,” she concluded.