Power Rangers star Austin St. John has come under fire after revealing plans to release merchandise featuring quotes by Nazi leader Adolph Hitler.
The 49-year-old actor who starred as Jason Lee Scott, the original Red Ranger, in the hit ‘90s series Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers sparked outrage after stating his intentions during an interview of podcast Toon’d In With Jim Cummings and describing Hitler as a “demon on steroids,” but that he “had some pretty good one-liners”.
This controversial figure’s regime triggered the Second World War and caused millions of deaths, including six million Jews and millions of other victims including Romani people, gay men and Jehovah’s Witnesses.
A number of people have since called him out for his business proposition, taking to the comments section of the video, which was posted on YouTube, to share their disgust.
“Bro said Hitler was bad but he had good 1 liners, you can’t be serious right now,” wrote one person.
“Soooo.. just gonna let it slide that he’s trying to sell clothes with Hitler quotes? REALLY?!?” remarked another.
While a third declared: “Incredibly disgusted to see ASJ not only call Hitler a Warrior, but talk about making money using quotes from that monster. Wow.”
Former co-star Amy Jo Johnson, who played Kimberly Hart, the original Pink Ranger has also weighed-in.
“Hmmm? I think some people should have publicists,” Johnson wrote on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. “Dear me…”
After followers responded, speculating about what her post was in reference to, Johnson left no room for doubt, writing: “Rogue Red Ranger has an entire new meaning. Okay I’ll stop now.”
In a clip from the podcast, which has since gone viral, St. John attempted to explain the thought process behind his controversial merchandise.
“I’m building a ‘Warrior’ line, where I will go back in history from pre-Greek days, as far back as I can,” he said. “I’m gonna have famous quotes from warriors of all ilks, including the terrible ones. Hitler was, you know, a demon on steroids, but he had some pretty good one-liners. So everybody from the great ones to the infamous and terrible ones.”
St. John - who was arrested in 2022 for defrauding the US government's COVID-19 business relief program - stated other items would also feature quotes by the likes of Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris, adding: “The point is to look to our past, to leaders both good and terrible and take from them what you can.”
The Standard has contacted a representative for Austin St. John for comment.
