Paul's big-money fight is a circus but the YouTuber is no clown
The Guardian|November 14, 2024
Despite the absurd persona, his business savvy and support of female fighters must be acknowledged
Donald McRae
Paul's big-money fight is a circus but the YouTuber is no clown

Jake Paul is having his hands wrapped in the locker room as his older brother, Logan, who also became rich and famous on YouTube, speaks earnestly to him. "You've expanded your mind, your circle, your emotional intelligence and your capabilities," Logan tells Jake. "From making silly home videos to changing the entire landscape of combat sports. Everyone in this room knows just how powerful a being you are and that's why we're all here, including Netflix. One day, if I run for president, I'd be honored to have you as my vice-president or maybe secretary of defense. You'll be in charge of the red button. The all-powerful nuke that also happens to be at the end of your right hand."

At least Jake laughs softly when his brother mentions the absurdity of running for president on a gleaming new Netflix documentary. It leads the splurge of content which Netflix hopes will entice millions of viewers to watch Jake Paul's embarrassing fight against the 58-year-old Mike Tyson tomorrow night in Arlington.

In this sun-kissed corner of north Texas, a week after Donald Trump sealed his return to the White House, the hype intensifies. Jake and Logan, two brothers from Ohio aged 27 and 29, are ardent Trump supporters and, like their political hero, they peddle a constant stream of bullshit in the knowledge that some of it will eventually stick.

This story is from the November 14, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

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This story is from the November 14, 2024 edition of The Guardian.

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