A Texas Republican Party leader, Michael Aboud, is facing embarrassment after finding himself at the center of a controversial prank by comedian Sacha Baron Cohen. Aboud participated in what he believed was a serious documentary about immigration, only to discover it was part of Baron Cohen’s outrageous new film, Ali G: Who Iz I?

The prank unfolded in a segment that featured Aboud among other supporters of President Donald Trump, showcasing their participation in bizarre scenarios orchestrated by Baron Cohen’s character, Col. Erran Morad.

During the shoot, Aboud and his fellow participants were subjected to a ludicrous “self-defense” training session. This included wearing a protective plastic buttock and learning how to fire bullets from the middle of these prosthetics using a rubber penis.

The outlandish training sessions were framed as a mission to prevent the birth of a South American drug kingpin’s child on U.S. soil, culminating in a staged dramatic birth scene.

Actress Morgana Robinson portrayed the heavily pregnant woman at the center of the plot, with the film depicting the participants attempting to kidnap her and transport her to a deserted medical facility.

In a particularly absurd moment, Aboud is seen grappling with the decision to drop a fake baby from a drone rather than allow it to enter America.

Shockingly, Aboud maintained that he was genuinely unaware of being pranked. “I thought it was a documentary about illegal crossings at the southern border,” he told a publication.

Expressing his outrage, Aboud stated plans to sue Cohen, branding him a “liar and a pervert.” He advised others to avoid any content associated with the comedian. “No one should spend one penny watching anything he produces or appears in,” Aboud added.

The film’s producers assert that all participants were unaware they were being filmed for a prank, which has drawn mixed reactions from the public.

Despite the controversy, Joshua Loudermilk—a fellow participant who seemed unfazed by the prank—shared his enthusiasm on social media, highlighting the time spent with Baron Cohen and promoting the film.

“I got to spend 12 hours one on one with Sacha and he taught me soooo much about the fun of making others laugh,” Loudermilk posted, even linking to the film’s trailer.

His posts included pride in his involvement, mentioning he was featured in the film, which could indicate a rift in how participants perceived the experience.

Other notable figures in the film include former Republican Representative George Santos, continuing Cohen’s tradition of pranking political figures.

This isn’t the first time Cohen has created a stir with political figures. In his 2018 show Who Is America?, he notably tricked former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

While some may view Aboud’s experience as merely comedic, it raises questions about the nature of consent in such films. The blurred lines of satire and reality seem to leave participants feeling fooled, as evidenced by Aboud’s heated response.

As this story gains traction, it highlights the ongoing cultural clash between humor and political beliefs, leaving audiences questioning where the line should be drawn in comedic pursuits.

The incident not only showcases Baron Cohen’s penchant for the absurd but also reflects the complexities surrounding media consumption in today’s politically charged environment.

With discussions about the ethics of pranking and the implications of consent heating up, this prank may have lasting repercussions for those involved and could signal a shift in how similar comedic endeavors are approached in the future.