President Trump hasn't had the best relationship with the press, especially after he contributed the term "fake news" to the pop culture lexicon. However, many Trump critics aren't even sure he knows what constitutes real news, either. Plus, his stance on foreign relations after his racist "sh*thole countries" comment isn't buying him any points.
Screenwriter, author and comedian Sara Benincasa decided to test Trump's knowledge and troll him at the highest level by seeking a journalist to ask the president about the United States' relations with Wakanda.
And, yes, she means the fictional all-black world of Wakanda in Marvel's Black Panther.
Benincasa went on Twitter to offer $300 to any journalist who successfully asks Trump about Wakanda with the best poker face and tapes his response.
I am offering $300 to the journalist who very seriously asks Trump his opinion on our nation’s relations with Wakanda and gets the question and answer recorded live on video. I know $300 doesn’t sound like a lot to some people but I also know what most reporters make so…$300.— Sara Benincasa (@SaraJBenincasa) January 13, 2018
People with more money are certainly invited to add to this purse. But I’m good for 300 bucks. Persons of the news media, this offer expires never.— Sara Benincasa (@SaraJBenincasa) January 13, 2018
Mr. @franklinleonard just tweeted at him earlier about Wakandan immigration I laughed so hard and then my vision became clear. Thank you sir for this inspiration.— Sara Benincasa (@SaraJBenincasa) January 13, 2018
If you succeed, you are guaranteed the $300 from me. However, should you actually complete this feat, I will set up a crowdfunding or Venmo situation whereby any others who wish to thank you for your bravery can add to the purse. People are already offering money. We shall see…— Sara Benincasa (@SaraJBenincasa) January 13, 2018
Now you’re going to want to practice your poker face. I mean you’re going to be so excited when you get the opportunity to do this and also you’re going to want to laugh really hard. I would suggest that you begin staring at yourself in the mirror immediately and saying it aloud.— Sara Benincasa (@SaraJBenincasa) January 13, 2018
And of course you always have the option to keep the money or donate it somewhere like @pressfreedom. And anybody who finds this thread amusing or this idea entertaining really ought to go follow @pressfreedom immediately to learn more about what they do all over the world.— Sara Benincasa (@SaraJBenincasa) January 13, 2018
Now remember, you must be a journalist who gets both the question and the answer on video. You can’t just be some kid who shows up shouting shit about Wakanda at one of his Triumph of The Will cosplay events. And it’s not my fault if you didn’t read this far. Now go do the work. pic.twitter.com/LVvtOe8Sch— Sara Benincasa (@SaraJBenincasa) January 13, 2018
Benincasa also created a hashtag for the whole journalistic movement, labeing it #wakandagate and encouraged people to donate to The Committee to Protect Journalists.
And please donate anyway to @pressfreedom no matter what, okay? They’re doing truly incredible work. Pretty sure they don’t need a Wakanda office cuz Wakanda believes in freedom of the press. You could actually ask Trump about that when you discuss #wakandagate. #wakandaforever— Sara Benincasa (@SaraJBenincasa) January 13, 2018
This expert-level trolling is similar to when comedians Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexei Stolyarov posted a video of a prank call where they posed as Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in a phone call to UN ambassador Nikki Haley. As heard in the audio, they asked her about Binomo, a fictional island near Southern China, per The Hill. Haley seriously answered the question noting, "Let me find out exactly what our stance is on that, and what if anything the U.S. is doing or thinks should be done, and I will report back to you on that as well."
Folks, I don’t think Trump is stupid. I just think he’s holding out on us by not addressing certain aspects of our international relations with various countries including the greatest STEM society ever to exist, the sovereign nation of Wakanda. #WakandaGate— Sara Benincasa (@SaraJBenincasa) January 14, 2018
We'll be sitting here eagerly awaiting the results of #Wakandagate!
