Jake Byrd shows up at trials and arrests and offers ironic support to various defendants like O.J., Paris Hilton, MJ and Trump. Jake is actually an-over-the-top character played by a writer and comedian named Tony Barbieri.
After the guilty verdict, Fox News caught him looking heavenward and screaming in torment, “Look what they’ve done to your son, God.” He was carrying a sign that said “Free Father Theresa.” (Trump had said that Mother Theresa “could not beat” the charges against him.) The Fox reporters seem to have taken him seriously, and referred to him in the article accompanying the video.
Fox is not the first nor the most distinguished media outlet to be conned by Jake’s performances. The non-existent “Jake” was actually quoted by the NY Times during both the OJ trial and the Michael Jackson trial.
Usually coverage of his antics will pop up that day on Youtube for Jimmy Kimmel Live for any who may be interested.
From outside looking in, while ‘merican comedy may be practically dead, politics sure have stepped up to try and replace it.
Yes, Kimmel had a clip of ‘Jake’ caught on NBC News doing his pro-Trump protester routine. Best lines: “This is a tapestry of justice!” and “This is how it feels to be a Mets fan!”
Here it is: