Chirac gets punkd
The week's news at a glance.
Paris
French President Jacques Chirac fell for a prank call from a Canadian radio DJ this week. Speaking French with an outrageously exaggerated Quebecois accent, DJ Marc-Antoine Audette pretended to be Canada’s incoming prime minister, Stephen Harper. Chirac didn’t suspect a thing during several minutes of conversation, even when the fake Harper agreed with him overenthusiastically, chirping, “Exactly, Mr. President! Liberty, equality, and fraternity! Amen!” When Audette finally told Chirac the truth, the president burst into laughter. The real Harper does speak French well, but his accent is not remotely like a Quebecer’s.
A free daily email with the day’s biggest news and analysis – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.