Celebrity Feuds
Bush to Talk "Borat" (So His Country Can Be Free)

BoratComedian Sacha Baron Cohen was already in hot water with members of the international community over his controversial (and extremely hilarious) Borat character, and now President George Bush himself is going to weigh in.

The government of Kazakhstan became infuriated with Cohen over his portrayal of Borat, a bumbling Kazakh TV reporter, at the 2005 MTV Europe Music Awards in Lisbon. The upcoming movie, based on Borat's adventures in the US, has surely reopened the wound.

In the opening scene, Borat reportedly kisses goodbye to his sister (who he touts as one of the top prostitutes in all of Kazakhstan by the way) and sets off for America in a car pulled by a horse. The movie was hailed as a comedic gem when it debuted last week at the Toronto International Film Festival.



But not everyone is laughing, especially Kazakhstan's president Nursultan Nazarbayev, who is set to meet with President Bush in the coming weeks. Among their list of topics to discuss is the damage done to his country's image by the Borat character.

President Nazarbayev also claims his government will buy "educational" TV spots and print advertisements about the "real Kazakhstan" in a bid to save the country's reputation before the film is released in the U.S. in November.

Despite the hilarity of the situation, The Kazakh government is very serious about the issue. In fact, they have previously threatened the British funnyman with legal action for Borat's memorable and controversial antics, which include constantly ripping his homeland, demeaning women, and urging folks to "Throw the Jew Down the Well."

Tags: borat

Reader Comments

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1. Rock on, Borat!

Posted at 5:08PM on Sep 13th 2006 by jen

2. he will drag him by his horns

Posted at 5:11PM on Sep 13th 2006 by iamhotterthanyou

3. TMZ ITS FUNNY HOW YOU KNOW POLITICS IS THE HOT TERM RIGHT NOW SO YOU KEEP BRINGING ASS BUSH IN THE CONVERSATION!

Posted at 5:11PM on Sep 13th 2006 by BUSH SUCKS

4. I didn't even know that was still a country!!! shows how much i know....i guess with Kazakhstan being a "real" counrty his stereotypes are a little offensive...but you don't here the irish compaining about theirs...they just laugh and have another guiness!!!

Posted at 5:12PM on Sep 13th 2006 by biotch

5. oh man i cant wait for this movie to come out. There hasnt been a really funny movie come out in a very very long time...

Posted at 5:23PM on Sep 13th 2006 by Mark

6. Borat rules!!

Posted at 5:21PM on Sep 13th 2006 by Lucy Furr

7. Right now, Andy Kaufman is peering out of whatever dimension he ended up in and is laughing at this as we speak.

Posted at 5:29PM on Sep 13th 2006 by zed

8. What is the big deal about? Borat is not a real person, and last time I checked most people look Asian that are really from Kazakhstan. I don't think Borat looks Asian. Kazakhstan should just let it ride. It would be the same if Chris Rock said he was Japanese and the Japanese governement getting all upset that Chris Rock is doing damage to their country. One can only dream though... Chris Rock in Japan. What better world this would be.

Posted at 5:45PM on Sep 13th 2006 by Batman

9. I thought it was a picture of Lionel Ritchie. I'll be damned.

Posted at 5:52PM on Sep 13th 2006 by Kris

10. Ha ha Kris! You know you're wrong for that! I don't think buying ads will do anything to improve his country's image though. Americans STILL have a hard time distinguishing between stereotypes and reality, as I have so often experienced.

Posted at 4:39AM on Sep 16th 2006 by Elle

11. I need to see a one on one with Borat and Bushie. THAT WOULD BE SO AWESOME!

Jagshemash!

Posted at 6:06PM on Sep 13th 2006 by Cat

12. Come on... Sasha is the funniest irreverent on the planet today. I'm happy to see that our leader is zeroing in on the important stuff. We got our best getting blown up, and "W" is smoking out humor.

Wanted dead or alive, Huuummmor! he, he, heee.
Man I can't waite until Nov.
Get out and vote.

Posted at 6:06PM on Sep 13th 2006 by The Truth

13. Humor is a rubber sword - it allows you to make a point without drawing blood.

Posted at 7:01PM on Sep 13th 2006 by grace

14. So, you're telling me the Jews have a better sense of humor then the Kazakhs?

Jeez, the world really has gone crazy.

Big ups, Borat. Booyakasha!

Posted at 7:35PM on Sep 13th 2006 by Mara

15. Bush has nothing to do with the issue, the president of Kazakhstan initiated the meeting with Bush about other things. The only reason anyone is paying attention is because of this idiot & his movie. By all means, don't let the facts weigh you down. Way to go out on a limb against W! So subversive!

Posted at 5:47PM on Sep 14th 2006 by lnix

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