Sacha Baron Cohen Says Donald Trump Has ‘Elements of Brilliance’ and ‘We Were Too Easy to Dismiss Him as a Nincompoop’
Sacha Baron Cohen has revived Ali G for a new film and reflected on interviewing Donald Trump in 2003, before Trump became a television host and president. Cohen said the encounter gave him a clearer sense of Trump’s appeal, arguing that people had been too quick to dismiss him as foolish.
Cohen recalled waiting about 40 minutes at Trump Tower and said Trump’s manner changed when he realised he would be interviewed by Ali G rather than the director. He described Trump as having “elements of brilliance” and said his ability to survive politically helps explain his second term, without judging the effects of his presidency. Cohen also called Trump amusing and said comedy can help political figures engage supporters and deflect criticism.
In short
- Baron Cohen revisited his 2003 Ali G interview with Trump.
- He said Trump was underestimated and has elements of brilliance.
- Cohen linked comedy to Trump’s appeal and political communication.
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The case for
Cohen’s account suggests that Trump’s appeal may rest partly on real strengths: sharp instincts for attention, an ability to connect with audiences and resilience under pressure. Recognising those qualities can help explain his political success without endorsing his policies, and may be more useful than dismissing him as foolish.
The case against
A person can be highly effective at attracting attention and winning support without those traits amounting to sound judgement or leadership. Calling Trump brilliant or amusing risks obscuring the consequences of his political choices, while Cohen’s brief encounter and reflections on comedy offer limited evidence about his governing record.