Since taking office, Donald Trump has signed a lot of eyebrow-raising executive orders, but this latest one has to be the most shocking yet.
Last night’s press briefing confirmed that he had signed an executive order banning all forms of satire in the U.S.
“Satire is fake news,” he said. “And we should start punishing it severely, as with all fake news. This ban will affect satire in any way, shape or form. TV, newspapers, internet, anything. Anything mocking the president of the United States of America will get a mandatational – uh, no, menstruational – uh, no, mental, that’s it, a mental 45-year prison sentence.”
We think he meant mandatory, but the word he settled on was probably more fitting. Oh well, many a true word is spoken in jest so they say.
He was also quick to deny rumours that he was following the example of the king of Saudi Arabia, who had announced a similar ban just the day before.
“I am not copying him,” Trump insisted. “If anything, I gave him the idea, I just had some golf to play before I got round to announcing mine.”
Unfortunately for Trump, this ban will not be applicable on satirical sources outside the U.S. – and most Western leaders have laughed at his request that they send anyone mocking him to America to stand trial.
“He is a public figure,” Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau commented. “He must be prepared to put up with some ridicule, it comes with the territory.”
Almost all European leaders have condemned Trump’s move on the same grounds. The only exception is Theresa May.