Political Joke

Title: Political Joke (Christina Wulff)

General Information about the Item:

Informant Data:

Peter Wulff is a 52-year-old male engineer. Although he was born and raised in the United States, after college, he moved to Germany and has been living and working in Buchen, Germany for the past 25 years. Peter is married with one son and now primarily speaks German at work and at home.

Contextual Data:

Cultural Context: Germans have a great interest in world politics. They enjoy discussing world news and events while at work and at home. Their discussions often take on a bantering or debating manner or tone.
Social Context: This specific joke was told to the informant at work. Although the informant is fully integrated into German culture and life, he is still viewed in some respect as an “American.” As such, given the current political environment in the United States, he is approached daily by his German co-workers about the latest political news/scandal. Oftentimes, these are in the form of jokes, such as the one that he provided.

Associated File:

Transcript/Translation:

The English translation of this joke is as follows: Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump go before God trying to get into heaven. God asks each of them, “What do you believe in?” George W Bush says: “I believe in freedom, American culture and a better life for all.” God says ok, you can come in. Barack Obama says he believe in democracy, equality and freedom for all people. God says ok, you can come in. Then God asks President Trump: “What do you believe in?” President Trump responds: “I believe that you are in my seat!”

Informants Comments:

“I hear jokes everyday about American politics, and in particular, about Donald Trump. The jokes are told to me in both English and German. This joke in German translates well into English.”

Collector’s Comments:

I have heard this joke in English as well. It was interesting to see that American politics plays such a role as a source of humor in Germany.

Collector’s Name: Christina Wulff

Tags/Keywords:

Dartmouth Folklore Archive