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Could Sacha Baron Cohen's Stunt with Sarah Palin Land Him in Jail?
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Ubiquitous
Jul 13, 2018, 12:07:14 PM7/13/18
to
Sacha Baron Cohen is getting plenty of attention for stunts he
apparently pulled for his latest undercover comedy show, “Who is
America?” One in particular, which targeted former Vice Presidential
candidate Sarah Palin, may turn out to be illegal.
According to Palin, the comedian posed as a wounded veteran in order
to arrange an interview with the former Alaska governor. Palin said
in a Facebook post that she traveled cross-country for the
interview. After finding the conversation to be full of sarcasm and
disrespect, Palin said she “finally had enough and literally,
physically removed my mic and walked out.”
The extent of Cohen’s deception is unclear, as the show has yet to
air, but depending on how he held himself out, he could be in
trouble.
The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 makes it a crime to lie about being a
recipient of military decorations or medals “with intent to obtain
money, property, or other tangible benefit.” A stunt for highly
lucrative television show could certainly count as a “tangible
benefit.” A previous version of the Act from 2005 had much broader
restriction against lying about past military service, but the
Supreme Court said it violated the First Amendment in an opinion
written by the retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy.
If Cohen was wearing anything meant to look like military
decorations, or if he told Palin he was a recipient, he could be in
violation. Penalties include fines and/or imprisonment for up to a
year.
If Cohen didn’t go that far, and only said he was a veteran, he
should be in the clear, since the Supreme Court specifically said
the First Amendment protects such speech.
Cohen has a history of dressing up in character in order to fool
people into granting interviews and saying potentially embarrassing
things. Past characters include Ali G, Borat, and Bruno. With each
of these characters appearing on television and in their own movies,
Cohen apparently had to find another approach for his new show,
which premiers Sunday on Showtime.
--
Mike Godwin
"By all means cite GL if you think some Nazi comparison is baseless,
needlessly inflammatory or hyperbolic."
4:05 AM - June 24, 2018
apparently pulled for his latest undercover comedy show, “Who is
America?” One in particular, which targeted former Vice Presidential
candidate Sarah Palin, may turn out to be illegal.
According to Palin, the comedian posed as a wounded veteran in order
to arrange an interview with the former Alaska governor. Palin said
in a Facebook post that she traveled cross-country for the
interview. After finding the conversation to be full of sarcasm and
disrespect, Palin said she “finally had enough and literally,
physically removed my mic and walked out.”
The extent of Cohen’s deception is unclear, as the show has yet to
air, but depending on how he held himself out, he could be in
trouble.
The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 makes it a crime to lie about being a
recipient of military decorations or medals “with intent to obtain
money, property, or other tangible benefit.” A stunt for highly
lucrative television show could certainly count as a “tangible
benefit.” A previous version of the Act from 2005 had much broader
restriction against lying about past military service, but the
Supreme Court said it violated the First Amendment in an opinion
written by the retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy.
If Cohen was wearing anything meant to look like military
decorations, or if he told Palin he was a recipient, he could be in
violation. Penalties include fines and/or imprisonment for up to a
year.
If Cohen didn’t go that far, and only said he was a veteran, he
should be in the clear, since the Supreme Court specifically said
the First Amendment protects such speech.
Cohen has a history of dressing up in character in order to fool
people into granting interviews and saying potentially embarrassing
things. Past characters include Ali G, Borat, and Bruno. With each
of these characters appearing on television and in their own movies,
Cohen apparently had to find another approach for his new show,
which premiers Sunday on Showtime.
--
Mike Godwin
"By all means cite GL if you think some Nazi comparison is baseless,
needlessly inflammatory or hyperbolic."
4:05 AM - June 24, 2018
FPP
Jul 13, 2018, 4:56:14 PM7/13/18
to
On 7/13/18 12:06 PM, Ubiquitous wrote:
> Sacha Baron Cohen is getting plenty of attention for stunts he
> apparently pulled for his latest undercover comedy show, “Who is
> America?” One in particular, which targeted former Vice Presidential
> candidate Sarah Palin, may turn out to be illegal.
Sure. Give that one a shot!
> Sacha Baron Cohen is getting plenty of attention for stunts he
> apparently pulled for his latest undercover comedy show, “Who is
> America?” One in particular, which targeted former Vice Presidential
> candidate Sarah Palin, may turn out to be illegal.
Then we can move on to your FakeIrishVet sockpuppet!
Too funny!
--
Mike Godwin
"By all means, compare these shitheads to Nazis. Again and again. I'm
with you."
8:03 PM - Aug 13, 2017
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