Super Mario makes a scene as FriendlyJordies rekindles his battle with NSW Deputy Premier
Jordan Shanks—the popular YouTube political commentator and comedian FriendlyJordies—gatecrashed a Macquarie University Rural and Regional Society event held at the campus bar on Monday night.
NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro was speaking to about 40 students and guests about economic recovery in regional NSW after the Covid-19 pandemic when Mr Shanks and his entourage disrupted the event.
A witness, who did not want to be named, said Mr Shanks was not around for long and didn’t get very close to the Deputy Premier.
“It all happened quite quickly,” they said. “It wasn’t that long, he was in and out … but his other guy, the guy in the suit, stuck around.”
The witness said the incident spilled outside of the university bar and continued.
“F.J [FriendlyJordies] was out the back yelling a bit … then he left with his team after security asked them to leave,” he said.
Friendlyjordies gatecrashing a John Barilaro event at Macquarie University dressed up as Luigi #bruz #barilarobruz #friendlyjordies #auspol #fyp ♬ original sound – Jock Bell
Video captured by an anonymous onlooker of the incident unfolding.
Mr Shanks came dressed as Luigi from Super Mario Brothers, a nod to previous videos where he has depicted the Deputy Premier as the character, possibly due to his Italian heritage.
Mr Shanks’ 480,000 YouTube followers now call him “Super Barilaro Bruz”.
Mr Shanks largely appeals to a young Labor-voting audience and describes his show as “THE BIGGEST VARIETY SHOW IN TOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
The YouTuber and Deputy Premier have a long history of conflict. In one of his videos, Mr Shanks said: “John Barilaro is a man whose expediency seeps right down to his genetics.”
Late last year, Mr Shanks filmed himself renting one of Mr Barilaro’s private estates through Airbnb. The video, viewed over 600,00 times, featured Mr Shanks bragging about his sexual activities while staying at the estate.
Mr Barilaro and Mr Shanks were both contacted for comment.