Channel 4/HBOAs you may or may not be aware, Sacha Baron Cohen made a welcome return to our screens this year with his new series Who Is America?
In the show he plays a number of exaggerated characters designed to illustrate just some of the absurdities of modern life in America. However, as with all of Baron Cohen’s creations, it only gets really absurd when people – both members of the public and public figures – fall for his disguises.
His new creations, from the militant Erran Morad to the ultra left-wing lecturer on gender studies Dr. Nira Cain-N’Degeocello, have caused quite the stir so far.
You can check out the trailer here:
However, while the latest series is arguably some of his best work yet, the name that will forever be associated with Sacha Baron Cohen is Ali G.
The hapless character, an amalgamation of various stereotypes amplified through Baron Cohen’s deadpan delivery, made the comedian a household name. Unfortunately, that was probably the reason he had to retire Ali G in the end, as less and less people would fall for the ridiculous persona.
However, luckily for us, before he retired he did manage to interview one very public figure who just so happened to go on to become the 45th President of the United States of America.
Back then Trump was more well known for being the US equivalent to Sir Alan Sugar as host of The Apprentice rather than what he’s been making headlines for in the last few years.
And 15 years ago Trump gave a detailed history of human business, which has been around for ‘hundreds of millions of years’ :
As you can tell from the colour of Trump’s hair and skin (which seem to have swapped shades these days?) the interaction between the two was a long time ago. Not quite hundreds of millions of years though.
Now, however, Ali G has resurfaced in a brief but heartfelt letter to the POTUS.
Following the news that Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen has pleaded guilty to eight charges, including fraud and campaign finance violations, thereby directly implicating Trump in paying ‘hush money’ to women to prevent them speaking out about extramarital affairs, it seems Baron Cohen couldn’t help but bring Ali G out of retirement to comment on the matter.
In a letter posted on Twitter, the comedian wrote:
2 my main man President Ronald Trump […]
Yesterday it was proven in de courts dat u iz a crook – respeck! U iz a genuine gangsta! And it turns out most of your crew are too innit (4 guilty so far). U iz de Suge Knight of world leaderz innit.
Also nuff respeck for bonin all dem pornstars – but why iz u payin dem money to keep quiet about it? We know it aint coz u haz got a tiny dong, u told everyone it woz massive on da telly, and one fing u ain’t, is a liar. Anyway, peace out, u iz a hinspiration for young people, show dem u can become President of America without having to give up a life of crime. Bigupyaself O.G.
Read the full thing here:
— Sacha Baron Cohen (@SachaBaronCohen) August 23, 2018
It’s good to have you back, Ali. Booyakasha!
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Charlie Cocksedge is a journalist and sub-editor at UNILAD. He graduated from the University of Manchester with an MA in Creative Writing, where he learnt how to write in the third person, before getting his NCTJ. His work has also appeared in such places as The Guardian, PN Review and the bin.