Calls for Georgia lawmaker to resign after using racial slurs on Sacha Baron Cohen show

A Republican state representative is being called on to resign after he repeatedly used a racial slur and exposed himself during a sting on Sacha Baron Cohen’s new show Who Is America?

Jason Spencer appeared on the show, which was broadcast in the UK last night, with Cohen’s new character Col. Erran Morad, who offered to train him in a series of bizarre anti-terrorist techniques.

In a mock training exercise, Spencer screamed the n-word, and pulled down his trousers and underwear, after Morad claimed that using one’s bare bottom against a terrorist is a recognised deterrent, playing on a supposed fear of homosexuality.

“I’ll make you a homosexual… USA, USA,” Spencer shouted while backing up to Cohen during the skit, which can be seen here.

Making matters worse, Spencer also filmed a sequence for the show’s credits, in which he used further racial slurs and acted out cutting off a terrorist’s genitals.

Spencer immediately threatened Cohen with legal action, saying in a statement: “It is clear the makers of this film intended to deceive me in an attempt to undermine the American conservative political movement; therefore, I have sought legal counsel to challenge this illegal and unethical behavior and plan on taking action if and when any of this fraudulently obtained footage of me is used by these Hollywood liberals to line their own pockets.

“They exploited my state of mind for profit and notoriety. This media company’s deceptive and fraudulent behavior is exactly why President Donald Trump was elected.”

However, many have called upon Spencer, who has endorsed the banning of burqas and threatened a fellow state rep in a row over confederate statues, to resign.

Though he was ousted in a primary election in May this year, after serving four terms, he remains in his seat.

Georgia’s house speaker David Ralston said: “The actions and language used on this video are reprehensible. Representative Spencer has disgraced himself and should resign immediately. Georgia is better than this.”

Georgia governor Nathan Deal added: “The actions and language used by Jason Spencer are appalling and offensive. There is no excuse for this type of behavior, ever, and I am saddened and disgusted by it.”

Since his rebuttal and threat of legal action, Spencer has apologised.

“I apologize to my family, friends and the people of my district for this ridiculously ugly episode,” he said.

“Finally, there are calls for me to resign. I recently lost my primary election, so I will not be eligible to hold office next term. Therefore, I will finish the remaining five months at my post and vacate my seat.”

Spencer joins a host of US political figures to have been duped by Cohen, including Bernie Sanders, Dana Rohrabacher and former vice president Dick Cheney, who he got to sign a ‘waterboarding kit’, which later appeared on eBay.

Episodes featuring Sarah Palin and Roy Moore are yet to be aired.

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