Comedian Maz Jobrani's comebacks to why Zelenskyy didn't wear a suit
March 1, 2025 6:47 PM Subscribe
SYTL. Why was Vladimir Zelenskyy harassed about not wearing a suit during his White House visit?
His comeback was solid, but a fellow professional standup comedian offers a few alternatives.
This post was deleted for the following reason: Ok, this post has been removed after several charges of homophobia, based on joke in the linked video. Hateful and insensitive posts and/or comments go against the Content Policy, so yeah, don't do that here. -- Brandon Blatcher
what the f*** were these clowns thinking, that they could get one over on the president of Ukraine whose previous job was playing the president of Ukraine.
my favorite line is
"I don't know, something cheaper?"
this is where I wish the ghost of Ronald Reagan would ride in for just one day assuming supreme powers as long as Nancy, the pope, and God and Eisenhower are on his side.
posted by clavdivs at 6:57 PM on March 1 [1 favorite]
my favorite line is
"I don't know, something cheaper?"
this is where I wish the ghost of Ronald Reagan would ride in for just one day assuming supreme powers as long as Nancy, the pope, and God and Eisenhower are on his side.
posted by clavdivs at 6:57 PM on March 1 [1 favorite]
His line about keeping his wardrobe consistent with his policy focus is actually quite strong, IMO. Linguistically it's not especially cutting, but I think it's a great and honesty option.
Kinda reminds me of this.
posted by Reasonably Everything Happens at 7:07 PM on March 1 [5 favorites]
Kinda reminds me of this.
posted by Reasonably Everything Happens at 7:07 PM on March 1 [5 favorites]
I would trade all of our boneless chickens for one Zelensky.
posted by effluvia at 7:07 PM on March 1 [10 favorites]
posted by effluvia at 7:07 PM on March 1 [10 favorites]
Oh, I know this one—he was harassed about it because they are Russian operatives.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 7:19 PM on March 1 [19 favorites]
posted by Horace Rumpole at 7:19 PM on March 1 [19 favorites]
You’ve been a member here for 20 years and you post shit like this?
posted by dobbs at 7:21 PM on March 1 [6 favorites]
posted by dobbs at 7:21 PM on March 1 [6 favorites]
Honestly I giggled at Zelensky's bit more than the suggested ones.
posted by Zalzidrax at 7:54 PM on March 1 [7 favorites]
posted by Zalzidrax at 7:54 PM on March 1 [7 favorites]
What was worse was Trump and Vance wearing their ill-fitting human suits. That's not eyeliner, it's a seam marking the edge of the prosthetics.
posted by zaixfeep at 8:04 PM on March 1 [5 favorites]
posted by zaixfeep at 8:04 PM on March 1 [5 favorites]
The "reporter" asking that stupid question was MTG's boyfriend from Real America Voice.
That's all we need to know. Now we can erase that memory and repurpose that neuron for something useful.
posted by CynicalKnight at 8:27 PM on March 1 [5 favorites]
That's all we need to know. Now we can erase that memory and repurpose that neuron for something useful.
posted by CynicalKnight at 8:27 PM on March 1 [5 favorites]
i have not had time, or the stomach, to watch the video, can someone please tell me if Vance asked Zelenskyy if he owned a suit? Did that happen? Cuz I don't, so I'm inVESTed in this issue.
posted by vrakatar at 8:36 PM on March 1 [1 favorite]
posted by vrakatar at 8:36 PM on March 1 [1 favorite]
Those answers from the comedian are acutely terrible. A ur mom joke, a joke mocking blue collar workers, and a homophobic joke.
I mean, not as terrible as the incoherent question from the "journalist" or the treatment of Zelenskyy by the White House, but still, pretty terrible. Unless the terribleness itself was funny or pointed in some way that had wooshed me?
posted by jacquilynne at 8:38 PM on March 1 [23 favorites]
I mean, not as terrible as the incoherent question from the "journalist" or the treatment of Zelenskyy by the White House, but still, pretty terrible. Unless the terribleness itself was funny or pointed in some way that had wooshed me?
posted by jacquilynne at 8:38 PM on March 1 [23 favorites]
What the f*** is it with Republicans and their weird obsession with attire? It’s like they think clothing is some sacred symbol of virtue—unless, of course, it’s one of their own wearing something ridiculous. I remember the bullshit claim that Reagan respected the Oval Office so much that he never took off his suit jacket—except there are photos proving that was a lie. They lost their minds over Obama’s tan suit, acted like it was some kind of national disgrace, and now they’re throwing a fit because Zelenskyy dares to wear military clothing while leading a country at war.
And yet, history shows they don’t actually care about “respecting the office” when it’s their guy. Bush II paraded around in a flight suit for his embarrassing “Mission Accomplished” stunt, using military cosplay to sell a war that turned into a disaster, and Trump constantly wears those ill-fitting, baggy suits that look like they were picked off a clearance rack two sizes too big.
And this isn’t even without precedent—Winston Churchill visited the White House in 1942 wearing a siren suit in 1941, and nobody lost their minds over that.
posted by Omon Ra at 8:49 PM on March 1 [11 favorites]
And yet, history shows they don’t actually care about “respecting the office” when it’s their guy. Bush II paraded around in a flight suit for his embarrassing “Mission Accomplished” stunt, using military cosplay to sell a war that turned into a disaster, and Trump constantly wears those ill-fitting, baggy suits that look like they were picked off a clearance rack two sizes too big.
And this isn’t even without precedent—Winston Churchill visited the White House in 1942 wearing a siren suit in 1941, and nobody lost their minds over that.
posted by Omon Ra at 8:49 PM on March 1 [11 favorites]
can someone please tell me if Vance asked Zelenskyy if he owned a suit? Did that happen?
Wasn't Vance. The "you're disrespecting the Oval Office by coming here dressed like that" line came from some dickhead who plays a reporter on TV. A dickhead, furthermore, who never said a peep about Musk being in there with his baseball cap, slogan T shirt and nose-picking kid.
Vance reserved his own rather larger bucket of liquid shit for later on.
posted by flabdablet at 8:52 PM on March 1 [13 favorites]
Wasn't Vance. The "you're disrespecting the Oval Office by coming here dressed like that" line came from some dickhead who plays a reporter on TV. A dickhead, furthermore, who never said a peep about Musk being in there with his baseball cap, slogan T shirt and nose-picking kid.
Vance reserved his own rather larger bucket of liquid shit for later on.
posted by flabdablet at 8:52 PM on March 1 [13 favorites]
“I don’t have time to shop these days”
posted by St. Peepsburg at 8:53 PM on March 1 [6 favorites]
posted by St. Peepsburg at 8:53 PM on March 1 [6 favorites]
This current debacle of an executive administration has repurposed the concept of "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread" into "Russian Fools, White Anglo Fear and Dread". I hope Carville is correct about his prediction about the impending collapse of the Trump Toilet Bowl administration.
posted by effluvia at 8:56 PM on March 1 [2 favorites]
posted by effluvia at 8:56 PM on March 1 [2 favorites]
Who knows what other mayhem his proclivities might inspire?
posted by flabdablet at 9:22 PM on March 1 [1 favorite]
Sadly, America will likely never be recovered. The gilded piece of art is suspected to have been chopped up and sold.I think there's a lesson in that for all of us.
posted by flabdablet at 9:22 PM on March 1 [1 favorite]
What the f*** is it with Republicans and their weird obsession with attire?
You're seriously asking for logic from a group whose female pundits receive exalted employment and serious pay for demanding all females surrender their employment and pay to men and humbly return to the kitchen and nursery where they belong?
posted by zaixfeep at 9:22 PM on March 1 [1 favorite]
You're seriously asking for logic from a group whose female pundits receive exalted employment and serious pay for demanding all females surrender their employment and pay to men and humbly return to the kitchen and nursery where they belong?
posted by zaixfeep at 9:22 PM on March 1 [1 favorite]
The sepulcher HOA is very picky.
posted by clew at 9:31 PM on March 1 [2 favorites]
posted by clew at 9:31 PM on March 1 [2 favorites]
The worst insult you can give a progressive is to declare that their policy declaration is insufficiently elegant, detailed, comprehensive and, well, progressive.
The worst insult to a conservative is that they have a whiff of hippie or bohemian about them. Non-conformity is blasphemy to conformists. See: wearing tan suit.
posted by zaixfeep at 9:31 PM on March 1 [2 favorites]
The worst insult to a conservative is that they have a whiff of hippie or bohemian about them. Non-conformity is blasphemy to conformists. See: wearing tan suit.
posted by zaixfeep at 9:31 PM on March 1 [2 favorites]
It was a stupid question, designed to put President Зеленський* off. It's not unusual for presidents to wear wartime clothing, like Churchill wearing khakis. Clearly, the Trump team planned the public humiliation and mineral deal rejection. I think this MAGA "reporter" was encouraged to ask something insulting.
*: Transliteration is fraught somehow, but copy-paste is respectful.
posted by netowl at 9:49 PM on March 1 [1 favorite]
*: Transliteration is fraught somehow, but copy-paste is respectful.
posted by netowl at 9:49 PM on March 1 [1 favorite]
Zelensky was a professional comedian in a previous life, so the fact that he even had a comeback is a testament to his quick mind. I really doubt he was in "comedic audience" mode when he went in and I'm pretty damn sure he wasn't anywhere close to that when he left.
I am so sorry, President Zelensky.
posted by JustSayNoDawg at 10:11 PM on March 1 [2 favorites]
I am so sorry, President Zelensky.
posted by JustSayNoDawg at 10:11 PM on March 1 [2 favorites]
Also, response 1 (Your mother) was weak and unoriginal, 2 (Janitor suit) was pretty good, and 3 (Gay for me) was weak, unoriginal and just … not cool, dude.
posted by JustSayNoDawg at 10:17 PM on March 1 [3 favorites]
posted by JustSayNoDawg at 10:17 PM on March 1 [3 favorites]
Is MTG's boy toy going to ask the Saudi prince why he's wearing a robe?
posted by Marky at 11:29 PM on March 1 [2 favorites]
posted by Marky at 11:29 PM on March 1 [2 favorites]
Did you see the sport coat on MTGs bf? It was a little (read: a lot) loud for the proper conservative Oval Office. Very bright light blue.
I am one who thinks one should wear a shirt and tie in the Oval Office. I have ripped on Musk for not while his nose picking son did. I also think that Zelenskyy is 100% ok with wearing his quasi military gear to remind everyone his country is at war, has been invaded. Leave the man be.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 11:37 PM on March 1 [1 favorite]
I am one who thinks one should wear a shirt and tie in the Oval Office. I have ripped on Musk for not while his nose picking son did. I also think that Zelenskyy is 100% ok with wearing his quasi military gear to remind everyone his country is at war, has been invaded. Leave the man be.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 11:37 PM on March 1 [1 favorite]
I cannot tell you how little serious people care about some assholes being assholes about Zelensky's clothing.
But the fact that even our favourite “Kamala Harris is the second most evil candidate for the presidency” naysayer has popped up to say Zelensky the hothead's OK not to wear a suit means I guess they have lost all the soft Trumpists.
posted by ambrosen at 3:16 AM on March 2 [2 favorites]
But the fact that even our favourite “Kamala Harris is the second most evil candidate for the presidency” naysayer has popped up to say Zelensky the hothead's OK not to wear a suit means I guess they have lost all the soft Trumpists.
posted by ambrosen at 3:16 AM on March 2 [2 favorites]
I had only had the stomach to watch the main parts of this fallout so far, so the insult about the missing suit was new to me.
How callous can you get. What a disgrace for America.
posted by uncle harold at 3:29 AM on March 2
How callous can you get. What a disgrace for America.
posted by uncle harold at 3:29 AM on March 2
What the f*** is it with Republicans and their weird obsession with attire?
The business suit is the uniform of capitalism. Uniforms represent strict obedience and absolute curtailment of ones ego to a dictatorial master.
posted by CynicalKnight at 3:39 AM on March 2 [3 favorites]
The business suit is the uniform of capitalism. Uniforms represent strict obedience and absolute curtailment of ones ego to a dictatorial master.
posted by CynicalKnight at 3:39 AM on March 2 [3 favorites]
The business suit is the uniform of capitalism.
To be more precise, it's the religious vestments of capitalism, and refusal to wear the prescribed vestments is the mark of the heretic.
The prescribed vestments for the actual bosses are whatever the fuck they feel like wearing, which is how Elon can rock up in a T shirt and nobody says boo.
posted by flabdablet at 3:55 AM on March 2 [3 favorites]
To be more precise, it's the religious vestments of capitalism, and refusal to wear the prescribed vestments is the mark of the heretic.
The prescribed vestments for the actual bosses are whatever the fuck they feel like wearing, which is how Elon can rock up in a T shirt and nobody says boo.
posted by flabdablet at 3:55 AM on March 2 [3 favorites]
Mod note: You’ve been a member here for 20 years and you post shit like this?
Dobbs, there is nothing wrong with this post and you should not be making judgements of other members like this. If all you have to offer to a thread is how much you dislike it, please go make a post you about something you would enjoy (LinkMe, FAQ) or join a thread you where you want to have a discussion other than how shitty you consider a post.
Do not come back to this thread unless you actually have something to contribute to the discussion.
No comments deleted and link to this comment MeFiMailed to member who made original comment.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 4:15 AM on March 2
Dobbs, there is nothing wrong with this post and you should not be making judgements of other members like this. If all you have to offer to a thread is how much you dislike it, please go make a post you about something you would enjoy (LinkMe, FAQ) or join a thread you where you want to have a discussion other than how shitty you consider a post.
Do not come back to this thread unless you actually have something to contribute to the discussion.
No comments deleted and link to this comment MeFiMailed to member who made original comment.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 4:15 AM on March 2
Mod note: Two comments removed. Debate about a post and/or question moderation decisions go to email or MetaTalk, not in the original thread, thanks.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 5:08 AM on March 2
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 5:08 AM on March 2
Ok I'll say it more plainly. This post contains homophobia. That's a fact!
posted by tiny frying pan at 5:14 AM on March 2 [1 favorite]
posted by tiny frying pan at 5:14 AM on March 2 [1 favorite]
Mod note: Ok, this post has been removed after several charges of homophobia, based on joke in the linked video.
Hateful and insensitive posts and/or comments go against the Content Policy, so yeah, don't do that here.
Apologies to dobbs for not understanding what they were saying in their comment.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 5:32 AM on March 2 [1 favorite]
Hateful and insensitive posts and/or comments go against the Content Policy, so yeah, don't do that here.
Apologies to dobbs for not understanding what they were saying in their comment.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 5:32 AM on March 2 [1 favorite]
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