Just when you thought the first episode of Sacha Baron Cohen’s “Who Is America?” couldn’t be topped. The first episode featured a parade of conservative lawmakers endorsing a fictitious plan to arm toddlers to protect themselves in classrooms. What could possibly top that? How about a Georgia lawmaker pulling down his pants and yelling the N-word at the top of his lungs? Yep, that’ll do it.
As you can see in the clip (linked here and below), George State Representative Jason Spencer is being taught how to protect himself from terrorists by Baron Cohen’s Erran Morad character. If you think that Baron Cohen used some devious plan to convince Spencer to use racist slurs and undress, then you’d be wrong. The clip shows that it took hardly any convincing for Spencer to throw out the slurs and to take off his pants and “attack” Baron Cohen with his bare ass. It’s incredibly embarrassing, and frankly, hilarious.
Well, as you might expect, it didn’t take long for other Georgia politicians to speak up and condemn Spencer for his actions. Georgia House Speaker David Ralston gave a statement to CNN saying, “Representative Spencer has disgraced himself and should resign immediately. Georgia is better than this.”
This was followed by a tweet from none other than the Governor of Georgia, Nathan Deal, who said, “The actions and language used by Jason Spencer are appalling and offensive. There is no excuse for this type of behavior, ever, and I am saddened and disgusted by it.”
As for Spencer’s response to looking like a complete fool on national TV? Well, let’s just say that Spencer isn’t so willing to take full responsibility for his actions. “Sacha Baron Cohen and his associates took advantage of my paralyzing fear that my family would be attacked. In posing as an Israeli Agent, he pretended to offer self-defense exercises. As uncomfortable as I was to participate, I agreed to, understanding that these ‘techniques’ were meant to help me and others fend off what I believed was an inevitable attack,” said Spencer in a small part of his lengthy statement to the Washington Post.
Spencer chalks up his “paralyzing fear” to the death threats he claims to have received as a member of Georgia’s State Congress, as well as the shooting incident in Washington, DC, which targeted congressional members. He does eventually apologize, but says he’ll stay in office for the remainder of his term (5 months).
As for Baron Cohen, he’s staying mum on the subject, per usual. Who knows what else he has up his sleeve in future episodes?
The actions and language used by Jason Spencer are appalling and offensive. There is no excuse for this type of behavior, ever, and I am saddened and disgusted by it.
— Governor Nathan Deal (@GovernorDeal) July 23, 2018
Here’s Spencer’s entire statement:
“In 2017 I received countless death threats in connection with my introduction of legislation involving the wearing of masks. The threats escalated to the point that my wife received threatening phone calls concerning her and my children. I was very afraid for my safety and the safety of my entire family.
Then, on June 14th, a gunman opened fire at members of Congress on a baseball field. I knew people on that field. Now, the fears I already had became more intensified as the reality of my family being targeted by a similar, deranged, would-be assassin became even more possible. I was in such a poor state of mind that my wife and I also undertook marriage counseling with a licensed therapist during this time.
Sacha Baron Cohen and his associates took advantage of my paralyzing fear that my family would be attacked. In posing as an Israeli Agent, he pretended to offer self-defense exercises. As uncomfortable as I was to participate, I agreed to, understanding that these ‘techniques’ were meant to help me and others fend off what I believed was an inevitable attack.
My fears were so heightened at that time, I was not thinking clearly nor could I appreciate what I was agreeing to when I participated in his ‘class.’ I was told I would be filmed as a ‘demonstration video’ to teach others the same skills in Israel. Sacha and his crew further lied to me, stating that I would be able to review and have final approval over any footage used.
I deeply regret the language I used at his request as well as my participation in the ‘class’ in general. If I had not been so distracted by my fears, I never would have agreed to participate in the first place.
I apologize to my family, friends, and the people of my district for this ridiculously ugly episode. Finally, there are calls for me to resign. I recently lost my primary election, so I will not eligible to hold office next term. Therefore, I will finish the remaining five months at my post and vacate my seat.”