U2 lead singer suggests using comedy to combat ISIS

16:45 - 13 April 2016

While testifying during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, U2 lead singer Bono suggested using comedy to combat extremism.

While testifying during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing in the U.S, U2 lead singer Bono suggested using comedy to combat extremism.

"The first people that Adolf Hitler threw out of Germany were the dadaists and surrealists," the legendary singer said to a panel of diplomats Tuesday who were pushing the United States government to provide more aid to the Middle East.

"It's like, you speak violence, you speak their language. But you laugh at them when they are goose-stepping down the street and it takes away their power. So I am suggesting that the Senate send in Amy Schumer and Chris Rock and Sacha Baron Cohen, thank you," he continued suggesting progress could be made against extremists using laughter.

Later, Bono assured the crowd at the Dirksen Senate Office Building that he was "actually being serious."

“Don’t laugh,” he told the committee, “I think that comedy should be deployed.”