A new Sacha Baron Cohen satirical comedy shows El Paso Republican Party Chair Michael Aboud taking part in scenes that include the abduction of a pregnant woman and a newborn being dropped from a drone. In the film, Aboud is told he is in anti-terrorism training, and on-screen text says he and another participant were not aware the incident was a hoax.
Aboud told El Paso Matters in a text message on Wednesday that the footage was "heavily edited." In a second text, he said he had not seen the movie and did not know its premise or scenes. The film's baby is a prop and the scenario is fictional, according to the story. Aboud has said he was not in on the joke, and he has threatened to sue Cohen, as first reported by The Guardian.
In a text exchange on Thursday, Aboud said there was never a baby and that suggesting otherwise is very bad journalism. He also questioned why El Paso Matters was covering the comedy.