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Topics: Entertainment, Kanye West, Donald Trump, Sacha Baron Cohen
Chloe Rowland
Topics: Entertainment, Kanye West, Donald Trump, Sacha Baron Cohen
Sacha Baron Cohen didn't hold back as he revived his infamous Kazakh TV journalist to rip into Kayne West earlier this month, but he received mixed reactions from those in attendance.
Cohen rocked up at the prestigious Kennedy Center Honour event on 4 December dressed as the controversial character Borat, where he proceeded to give West an absolute roasting.
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For anyone living under a rock, West has been marred with controversy over recent months following a string of anti-Semitic comments on social media.
The rapper, who officially changed his name to Ye, was dropped by many of his brands including Adidas and Balenciaga in October and November respectively after he shared a post on Twitter saying he'd go 'death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE'.
Despite the backlash, Ye continued to defend his comments in various interviews, including a bizarre appearance on Alex Jones' InfoWars earlier this month where he said he sees 'good things' about Adolf Hitler.
Speaking at the prestigious event held to honour Irish rock band U2, among other talent, Cohen didn't bite his tongue as he touched on Ye's controversies.
Speaking as Borat, he said: "Before I proceed, I will say I am very upset about the anti-Semitism in US and A.
"It not fair. Kazakhstan is No. 1 Jew-crushing nation. Stop stealing our hobby. Stop the steal! Stop the steal!."
At this point, guests could be seen either squirming awkwardly or bursting into laughter.
He continued: “Your Kanye, he tried to move to Kazakhstan and even changed his name to Kazakhstanye West. But we said: No, he too anti-Semitic, even for us.”
Though it wasn't just the rapper who was targeted by the infamous character.
Turning his attention to President Biden - who was in fits of laughter at the character's monologue - Borat said: “I know the president of US and A is here.
“Where are you, Mr Trump?
“You don’t look so good. Where has your glorious big belly gone? And your pretty orange skin has become pale," he continued, before asking if the Russian leader Vladimir Putin and the nerve agent novichok were to blame.
"But I see you have a new wife. Wawawoooah! She is very erotic. I must look away before I get a Bono," he added.
Cohen's routine will have certainly come as a shock to those in attendance at the typically prestigious and formal event.
When asked by The Guardian what he thought of it, Glenn Youngkin, the governor of Virginia, said: “I was surprised to see him."
Meanwhile, Biden’s sister, Valerie Biden Owens, simply said: “I think I like U2." Fair enough.
Along with U2, George Clooney, singer-songwriter Amy Grant, singer Gladys Knight and composer Tania León were all honoured at the event, which is considered one of the most esteemed lifetime achievements in the arts.