An unidentified rodeo clown who inspired a national controversy over the weekend by wearing a mask resembling President Barack Obama and asking the audience if they'd like to see him "run down by a bull" has received a permanent ban from performing at the Missouri State fair.
According to KSDK, the commission voted unanimously to ratify a decision by Missouri State Fair Director Mark Wolfe to forbid the masked figure from performing at the venue again in the future.
The fair apologized multiple times after the incident, saying the man had not informed fair officials of his intentions and they certainly wouldn't have allowed the skit if he had.
This photo provided by Jameson Hsieh shows a clown wearing a mask intended to look like President Obama at the Missouri State Fair. Credit: AP
The stunt was criticized by Democrats and Republicans alike after video and photos of the event were posted online. A Daily Kos writer wrote: "All I want is some heads to roll," and some Democratic Missouri lawmakers suggested that there should be financial consequences for the venue.
The fair said in a written statement announcing the rodeo clown's ban that he had engaged in an "unconscionable stunt" that was "inappropriate and not in keeping with the Fair's standards."
Glenn Beck responded to the controversy on radio Monday, excoriating the national figures who unequivocally condemned the clown, saying the president is not God or Mohammed and that Americans are allowed to mock him.
“Stop treating [President Obama] like God,” Beck declared. “I apologize to those on the left, to assume that you would treat God with any respect…Stop treating him like he’s the prophet Mohammed.”
He suggested the lawmakers who can't tolerate the mockery pick up a copy of the United States Constitution.
For video from the rodeo, watch below:
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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