Taliban leader Abdul Ghani Baradar has received both praise and accusations of hypocrisy after photos emerged of the militant wearing a “Death to the West” tuxedo while appearing at the star-studded Met Gala in New York City.
Baradar, who flew in for the event on a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, used the $35,000-per-ticket celebration to rail against America’s materialistic capitalism.
“The reason America has failed in Afghanistan is because it has become too comfortable in its own wealth and decadence,” Baradar said shortly after threatening to behead a cocktail waiter for bringing him lukewarm champagne. “That’s why I am wearing this jacket, to make a statement about how much I hate capitalism and loathe the materialistic excess of America.”
Baradar, who also sported a $45,000 Tag Heuer wristwatch, went on to have three members of the wait staff executed after a waiter gave the last mac-and-cheese bite to Megan Thee Stallion.
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The Taliban leader earned praise from some celebrities for his bold attire.
“A lot of people say, ‘Death to America’ or ‘Death to the West,’” said singer and actress Bette Midler. “But by wearing that tux, Baradar showed that he means it.”
Some on Twitter said that the money he spent on the elaborate attire could have been put to better use helping the people of Afghanistan, or at least buying military equipment to battle Western-backed forces. But others countered that there were many at the Gala who were much worse than the terrorist leader.
“At least he makes his money through legitimate means, like selling opium or US military equipment,” one Twitter user stated. “It would be much worse if he were paying for that shit with our taxpayer money.”