Joe Lawton

Joe H. Lawton^[2] is the President of the United States in the HD Universe of the Grand Theft Auto series.

History

Background

Joe Lawton was elected as the President of the United States before 2008, as he was first mentioned in Grand Theft Auto IV. According to Thomas Stubbs, President Lawton's birthday falls on or around February 16th.^[1] Lawton's father, George, has a background in politics as a Senator.

According to WKTT's Conspire show, Lawton studied at the University of San Fierro and was in the same fraternity as the inventor of credit default swaps. However, Conspire's authenticity is highly questionable, as they also claimed that Lawton resurrected his own father from the dead.

In 2007, Lawton admitted to snorting cocaine in his youth, but clarifies that he "never swallowed the backwash."^[3]

Events of Grand Theft Auto IV

In the autumn of 2008, Lawton renews the Jingoism Act after Congress sends the updated legislation to his desk. After the bill takes effect, he attends the swearing-in ceremony of 30,000 new NOOSE agents to secure the homeland. While reassuring Americans their government has everything under control, he issues a maniacal laugh that startles the pigeons on nearby rooftops.

In contrast to media personalities such as Cloe Parker and Jill Von Crastenburg, Lawton appears to be largely ignored by the media, although he does receive some news coverage, mostly following political scandals. For example, Weazel News reports on Lawton's foreign policy blunders. Notably, Lawton orders French maid outfits to be renamed as "slutty Halloween costumes," straining U.S.-France relations. In retaliation, the French President declares he is "very close" to asking the U.S. to return the Statue of Happiness.

During a similar incident, after drinking a bottle of red wine, Lawton sends the Italian Prime Minister the emoticon for "braindead". Offended, the Prime Minister texts Lawton to "take his mother as a lover."

In another report, sources close to Lawton claim that he drunkenly admitted his fear of China, despite being known for his "take no shit approach to foreign policy." This incident occurred after he downed an "impressive" sixteen beers at a fundraiser to promote firearms in the home. However, Lawton denies all memory of the event.

Additionally, Niko Bellic receives an email from his mother that mentions President Lawton. She briefly comments on Lawton's demeanor, describing him as a "foolish individual". Curiously, she inquires whether Niko has had the opportunity to meet him, as Roman had falsely claimed that they would be honored with a prestigious award. Niko promptly clarifies that Roman's statement was entirely untrue.

Events of The Ballad of Gay Tony

While Luis Fernando Lopez battles the NOOSE in Going Deep, an agent confidently says, "The President said we can do whatever the fuck we want, assholes." Outside of the main narrative, a Weazel News radio segment reports that Lawton has ended the recession. In addition, Lawton claims a recession is only in Americans' minds, meaning that only the people can prevent their own success. The announcement sparks celebrations by politicians in Washington, DC.

Events of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

The President is briefly referenced in an email, marked as spam, from someone under the username Mr. T. al Iban from Afghanistan, who is trying to sell large stockpiles of opium online at very low prices, due to his country being "oversupplied" and their currency falling in value. This email references the War on Terror by the United States, a consequence of which was the raising of the ban against the opiate industry in Afghanistan which was originally imposed by the Taliban.

Lawton is also referenced in one joke by Wade Heston, claiming he is the "only person in America who can boast about being high on drugs".

Events of Grand Theft Auto V

In 2013, Lawton continues his tenure as the President, drawing minimal attention from the media, which remains focused on celebrity gossip. However, this situation changes when a venture capitalist is murdered before finalizing a deal with Vapid. A Weazel News internet article criticizes Lawton, emphasizing his failure to address a series of ongoing assassinations. The writer questions when Lawton will take a decisive stance, labeling these killings as "an act of terror."

Throughout the story, certain characters also mention Lawton. For instance, Ron Jakowski claims Lawton is a drug addict and connected to the Illuminati, but Jakowski's paranoid nature and willing belief in conspiracy theories make this debatable. Moreover, Devin Weston claims he is close to President Lawton, to the extent that Lawton allows Weston to "finger his wife", though Weston's arrogant and boastful nature likely indicates that this wasn't a serious statement. Finally, when Franklin Clinton is confronted by Steve Haines and Dave Norton, Franklin asks if they want him to "kill the President" or have relations with his wife.

Lawton is the subject of a Bleeter discussion after a few missions. After a setup for The Merryweather Heist, a user tells Lawton that the world is "busy laughing" at the United States. Once The Bureau Raid is carried out, another user claims that Lawton has "dropped the ball again", as American national security is "a joke". Finally, following Legal Trouble, suspecting the incident at Los Santos International Airport was terrorism, a concerned user asks why Lawton has not issued a statement.

Character

Policies

In Grand Theft Auto IV, President Lawton is known for spearheading the War on Terror. As a result, President Lawton endorses extending the Jingoism Act in order to protect freedom, which legislates for increased government surveillance and phone tapping. Similarly, a Weazel News commercial on the television reports that Lawton has suspended habeas corpus.

The media also covers Lawton's other policies, which all suggest that he is a conservative. To illustrate, a spam email in The Ballad of Gay Tony suggests that he opposes free healthcare. Also, according to whymommygotfat.com, there is no correlation between Lawton's policy of abstinence-only sex education and America's high teenage pregnancy rates. Instead, the website blames "all the fornicating liberals." Lastly, after a Weazel News-endorsed study finds that solar power is too costly, President Lawton and the Congress prepare legislation that aims to protect the gas and coal industries from the "solar threat."

At some point, Lawton advocates for legislation to outlaw online poker. The internet gambling website Poker in the Rear attacks politicians such as Lawton for advancing such laws.

During Grand Theft Auto V, a sign in South Los Santos may suggest that Lawton is a left-wing President, as it reads, "Impeach the Socialist!". However, an advertisement for a luxury condo in Grand Theft Auto Online urges potential buyers to "snap it up now before President Lawton loses the next election and they tax the hell out of you". Furthermore, Lawton's conservative policies from 2008, which earn him the endorsement of Richard Bastion, also contradict the idea that he may be considered a liberal politician.

Influence

Joe H. Lawton is likely based on George W. Bush. Lawton and Bush both have fathers with a political background. Furthermore, Lawton's seemingly bumbling nature, widespread unpopularity, lack of foreign policy expertise, jingoistic conservative policies, and excessive drinking all resemble Bush.

Specifically, Lawton's suspension of habeas corpus mirrors a controversial Bush policy. Legislation signed by Bush prohibited foreign nationals detained by the United States as "enemy combatants" from contesting their detentions in federal courts.^[4] In addition, a user on The Martin Serious Show's website is named "LawtonIsTheDevil." Their username is a reference to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez calling Bush "the devil" at the United Nations General Assembly in 2006.

Lawton is possibly influenced by Barack Obama as well. The "Impeach the Socialist" sign in South Los Santos is a reference to criticisms of Obama's policies. Ironically enough, a common point of criticism to Obama was his liberal reform of healthcare, while Lawton is said to be against free healthcare.

References

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