Kaling’s Ben Affleck Quip Lights Up DNC

At the 2024 Democratic National Convention, Mindy Kaling lightened the mood with a playful jab at Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s recent breakup. Kaling humorously advised Affleck to “stay strong” and showered Dunkin' Donuts with praise, calling it the “world’s best coffee.”

This remark followed Lopez’s decision to divorce Affleck after their two-year union. On Tuesday, Lopez formally lodged the divorce documents with the Los Angeles County Superior Court, coincidentally marking the second anniversary of their lavish Georgia wedding. The couple had originally exchanged vows in a simple Las Vegas ceremony in July 2022.

Court records indicate that Lopez listed April 26 as the date of their formal separation. The couple, who opted not to sign a prenuptial agreement, has yet to issue any public statements regarding the split. Rumors about their potential breakup had been circulating for months, with reports suggesting that they had spent much of the summer apart. Lopez made solo appearances at major events, including the 2024 Met Gala and the premiere of her Netflix movie Atlas. Meanwhile, Affleck remained in Los Angeles, where he purchased a $20 million residence after their shared home was put on the market.

Despite the personal turmoil, Kaling’s lighthearted comment at the convention resonated, particularly because of her past connection with Affleck. Kaling had once portrayed Affleck on stage in the off-Broadway production Matt Ben, a play she co-authored with fellow Dartmouth graduate Brenda Withers. The show humorously depicted the early years of Affleck and Matt Damon as they worked on their Oscar-winning screenplay for Good Will Hunting.

Aside from her humorous flair, Kaling seized the moment at the convention to voice her profound respect for Vice President Kamala Harris. She shared a heartfelt anecdote about preparing South Indian dosas alongside Harris, reminiscing about their common cultural heritage. Both women, who were nurtured by Indian immigrant mothers, have faced the sorrow of losing their mothers to cancer.

“Kamala Harris cares deeply about other people. She will fight to protect our freedoms because those are the values that her mother passed down to her,” Kaling shared, emphasizing Harris’s unwavering dedication to the future of the country.