Theo Fong Discusses DHS Video Incident and Security Concerns
Theo Fong revealed that “government officials” attempted to address concerns by increasing his security after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) used a video of him to publicize his deportation. The comedian expressed feeling a significant amount of stress and fear following the release of a video on the DHS account that said, “You’re a man who was deported, I heard goodbye.” He criticized the agency for using the clip without his permission on September 23, which was removed the next day. On Thursday, Fong mentioned that the officials responded over the recent weekend by ramping up his security, particularly in light of the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk, which left him feeling quite shaken.
“This was a mess. It was a mess. It was everywhere. It was all over social media,” Fong shared.
He recounted the moment he got the call offering him added security. “The curtains were drawn in my house. I felt a bit delusional. The next morning, I woke up to messages from a senior government official.” The gravity of the situation struck him, and just a few days later, as he prepared to kick off his Netflix special, he found himself navigating an entirely new reality.
“I don’t even know the code for the ring camera. What? Extra security? I can’t even log in,” he said, reflecting on his unfamiliarity with the security measures.
Looking at the context of the security arrangement, Fong admitted, “I really don’t know, man. It shook me. It really did.”
He continued, “But you just keep pushing forward, right? Now I have security?” Having someone watch over him felt like venturing into uncharted territory, making him acutely aware of potential threats.
“If you’re being accompanied by security, it feels a bit uncomfortable. Suddenly, you’re like, ‘What’s going on here?'” he reflected.
“It’s all very overwhelming. And here we are, just trying to do our jobs, right?”
Fong acknowledged the shared anxiety surrounding violent incidents seen online. He noted that while performing on stage, he wrestled with the pressure stemming from the backlash against his Netflix show. “Sometimes, you just don’t realize how much stress you carry,” he concluded.
