5 Most Unique Political Pranks on April Fool's Day

(Baonghean.vn) - Most of the jokes on April 1 are harmless, but some political jokes can have unpredictable consequences.

1. Israel: Ready missiles, preparing for secret exercises

Major General Ram Rothberg.

Despite strict military discipline, on April 1, 2012, Major General Ram Rothberg teased his subordinates by ordering three crews of the missile ship to prepare to participate in a secret exercise with the US and Italian navies.

Some sailors immediately called home to say they would be on a 10-day assignment off Naples, and stayed up all night to prepare the ship. Some sailors’ families set out to bring extra supplies and food for their sons, who are in the Israeli navy. Others wired money to their accounts in case their sons needed it while they were on assignment in Italy. They only learned early the next morning that they had been “tricked” on April Fools’ Day.

Although Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officials insisted that no operations or routine training were affected, nor were any missile boats set sail, all expressed discomfort over the political stunt.

2. France: President goes for leg lengthening

President Nicolas Sarkozy goes for leg lengthening.

On April 1, 2008, The Sun reported that French President Sarkozy had signed up for “height surgery” – lengthening his legs by 10 cm at a Swiss medical center. The reason given was that President Sarkozy felt unconfident when walking with his supermodel wife, Carla Bruni.

This news shocked many readers of The Sun. The next day, The Sun clarified that this news was just an April Fools' Day joke. Of course, according to the "rules of the game", President Sarkozy could not react strongly to the incident.

3. Canada: Finance Minister resigns to return home to raise ducks

Mr. Paul Martin.

On April 1, 2002, the Canadian website Bourque.org reported that Finance Minister Paul Martin had resigned to raise "Fawn Runner ducks and Charolais beef cattle." Rumors also said that Martin would take his animals to a fair in the town of Havelock, Quebec.

The news of Mr. Martin’s resignation immediately affected the Canadian financial and banking markets. The Canadian dollar fell to its lowest level in a month.

The currency markets only really recovered when the Treasury Department officially denied the rumor. Pierre Bourque, editor of bourque.org, admitted that the story was a joke. "The ducks are a sign that this is bullshit," he said.

4. USA: Former President Nixon re-runs for President

Former President Nixon.

On April 1, 1992, a national radio program called Talk of the Nation announced that Nixon would run for President again. His new campaign slogan was: "I didn't do anything wrong, and I won't do it again." Accompanying the announcement were audio clips of Nixon delivering his campaign speech.

Instinctively, those who heard the speech were furious, calling the show to say it was an insult. It was only in the second part of the show that host John Hockenberry revealed that it was a prank, with comedian Rich Little impersonating Nixon's voice.

5. Japan: Government hires former foreign leaders

Illustration photo.

A major Japanese newspaper once reported that because Japan lacks outstanding politicians, the country plans to invite a series of former foreign leaders to join the new cabinet.

On that list are many names of famous politicians such as former Soviet leader Gorbachev, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, founder of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew, US trade representative Kent... For the Japanese, these are all tough and practical politicians.

The newspaper even provided additional information that because of concerns about paying high salaries to these foreign politicians, the Japanese Prime Minister decided to submit a bill to the Diet to expand the government cabinet in preparation for a cabinet reshuffle. However, next to that list was a small line that said “Today is April Fool’s Day.”

Kim Ngoc

(Synthetic)