At a Glance
- President Trump mocked transgender athletes with grunts and groans during a Jan. 6 speech to House Republicans.
- BBC Persian’s Siavash Ardalan-translating U.S. presidents since George W. Bush-had to mimic the noises live on air.
- Ardalan calls it the first time he’s translated “nonverbal” sounds in a presidential address.
- Why it matters: Viewers heard every grunt and groan, underscoring how translators must mirror tone, not just words.
A Kennedy Center speech marking the Jan. 6 anniversary turned into a sound-effects showcase when President Trump launched into an impression of a transgender weightlifter, forcing veteran translator Siavash Ardalan to grunt along in real time.
A Translator’s New Challenge
Ardalan, covering the hour-plus address for BBC Persian TV, posted a clip showing himself echoing Trump’s exaggerated noises. He tells News Of Los Angeles it was the first presidential speech requiring on-the-spot nonverbal translation in his decades-long career.
Ardalan said:
> “A live translator has a responsibility… to reflect that person’s depth of vocabulary, sentiments and intonations.”
Why the Speech Was Aired
BBC Persian hoped Trump would address:
- Nationwide anti-government protests in Iran
- The Jan. 3 capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces
Those topics never surfaced; the focus stayed on domestic issues and the president’s pantomimed weightlifting routine.
Onstage Admission
Mid-speech, Trump conceded that First Lady Melania Trump disapproves of his impersonations and dancing. He quoted her saying:
> “It’s so unpresidential.”
He replied, “But I did become president,” before continuing his comedic routine.
Key Takeaways
- Trump used grunts and moans to ridicule transgender athletes in women’s sports.
- Translator Siavash Ardalan mirrored every sound, calling the task “frankly quite fun.”
- The episode highlights the unexpected demands placed on live interpreters.
