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Philip Bertrand Déodat Jean-François Vibert (born 27 August 1973), professionally known as Phil Vibert, is a Magisterian politician, podcaster, political commentator, and former professional wrestling promoter who has been the sixth president of the United Magisterian Socialist People's Republics and the general secretary of the Communist Party UMSPR since 2023. He previously served as Prime Minister of the Council of Ministers under Aurelia Bolton's government from 2021 until 2023. In addition, he hosts Vibert's Voice, a two-hour podcast about current affairs, politics, professional wrestling, pop culture, other types of combat sports, religion, and hobbies, along with non-political celebrity guests. His podcast channel is one of the most influential and widely followed in the world.
Born in Annesia City, Federal Capital Territory, Vibert began his professional wrestling career in 1991 as a backstage interviewer for the Supreme Wrestling Federation (SWF), later becoming a flamboyant heel manager the same year. He took a break from wrestling in 1994 to pursue his education. Shortly after graduating from National People's University with a degree in political science in 1996, Vibert resurfaced for the small-time independent promotion Danger And Violence Extreme (DAVE) and was promoted to Head of Creative the following year. He later purchased the company from Buddy Gaines in 1998, and over the next ten years, he was able to transform it into the renowned cult phenomenon that it is today. He was the primary color commentator for the company, as well as the creative force behind the promotion.
Vibert entered politics in 2007, shortly after the closure of Danger And Violence Extreme (DAVE), when he was elected vice-mayor of Annesia City alongside Sylvanus Spooner. After his tenure as vice-mayor had ended, he served as the local party secretary for Annesia City, and he rose up the political ranks. From 2016 to 2018, he was the governor and party secretary of the Federal Capital Territory, and in 2018, he subsequently joined the Council of Ministers as Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture. In 2021, he had been chosen as then-President Aurelia Bolton's presumed successor as president and General Secretary; to that end, Vibert was appointed as the Prime Minister of the Council of Ministers.
Vibert is widely recognized for his charming personality and strong media presence. Politically, he has been described as a left-wing populist and social nationalist, with a particular affinity for neo-Longinist principles. Since assuming power, Vibert has introduced far-ranging measures to enforce party discipline and to impose internal unity. Vibert restored private ownership in a few economic sectors that had been placed under state control by the previous administration. He has also promoted for a pragmatic foreign policy, resuming relationships with politically right-wing countries such as Hungary.
Early life[]
Philip Bertrand Déodat Jean-François Vibert was born in Annesia City, Federal Capital Territory, on August 27, 1973. He was born and raised in the Stapleton area before relocating to New Liverpool. Geraldine, Vibert's mother, was a registered nurse, while Matthias, his father, was a stay-at-home father. As a photojournalist, he hustled his way backstage at a Golden Canvas Grappling (GCG) event in Annesia City while still a teenager. He received payment from the company for some of his photographs.
Vibert graduated from Philadelphia State People's High School in 1991. For his charming demeanor, he received the nickname "Captain Charisma" at school. Although he had originally intended to pursue a career in politics, he decided to pursue a career in professional wrestling as an additional occupation while attending the National People's University before entering full-time in wrestling in 1996.
Professional wrestling career[]
Vibert in 1999
Vibert was highly involved in professional wrestling over a period of 15 years. He made his professional wrestling debut in 1991 as a backstage interviewer for the Supreme Wrestling Federation (SWF), before joining forces with Giant Grimsley and Mayhem Midden on March 9, 1993, and assuming the ring moniker "Harry Flash." Phil Vibert's character, Harry Flash, was an extension of his own personality: a charming Annesian with a flamboyant attitude. He departed the SWF in 1994 to continue his education.
Vibert in 2001
Phil Vibert resurfaced in the small-time independent promotion Danger And Violence Extreme (DAVE) after graduating in 1996, retaining his flamboyant heel manager persona from the SWF. He was promoted as the company's new head booker in 1997, and he so pleased Buddy Gaines that he purchased the company from him in 1998. Under his reign as the CEO, DAVE went through a surge of popularity, offering an counterculture alternative to the glitz-and-glamour of the SWF and the traditionalism of GCG. The company later secured a pay-per-view agreement in late-1999, and the 2000 Blood and Thunder was the first DAVE event to be shown on pay-per-view. DAVE was featured in the 2002 high budget documentary film Grappling with Success, and DAVE began its national growth as a result of the documentary film's critical and commercial success, resulting to a TV agreement with Extreme.
By late 2005, the promotion was having financial difficulties. DAVE was Extreme's highest-rated sports-related show until its cancellation in 2007. Vibert was unable to overcome financial difficulties, leading him to shut the company down on May 13, 2007.
Awards and accomplishments[]
- Master Sports
- Color Commentator of the Year (2001)
- Creative Writer of the Year (2003)
- Magisterian Sports Observer
- Color Commentator of the Year (2000)
- Booker of the Year (2002—2004, 2006)
- Promoter of the Year (2004)
- Magisterian Sports Observer Hall of Fame (Class of 2011)
Political career[]
Vibert in 2015
In 2007, he entered politics and ran as vice-mayor alongside Sylvanus Spooner for mayor in the Annesia City mayoral election the following year. He would serve as vice-mayor until 2012, following which he would become the local party secretary for Annesia City. Vibert studied Marxist theory and ideological education at the Communist University of Annesia from 2013 to 2016, earning a doctorate in law and ideology in 2016.
Vibert was appointed as governor and party secretary of the Federal Capital Territory in 2018. Vibert made attempts to develop the district's commercial sector. He would serve as the FCT's governor and party secretary until 2018, when then-President Aurelia Bolton appointed him as the new Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture.
Rise to power[]
In 2021, Vibert was appointed as the Prime Minister of the Council of Ministers, an indication that he was going to succeed Aurelia Bolton as Magisteria's next leader. In addition, Vibert also held the first secretary of the Communist Party's Central Secretariat. This assessment was further strengthened during the Communist Party's 21st Congress in May 2021, when Vibert was selected as vice-general secretary of the Communist Party.
Leadership[]
Vibert served as temporary president upon the removal of Aurelia Bolton until being officially elected president on August 30, 2023 by both houses of the Federal People's Council. On September 24, 2023, Vibert was elected General Secretary of the Communist Party UMSPR.
Domestic policy[]
Vibert has adopted a harder line on security, reflecting a more nationalistic and assertive Magisteria on the global stage. Vibert, on the other hand, has adopted a more pragmatic approach to foreign policy, resuming contacts with right-wing countries such as Hungary. Foreign experts and observers have repeatedly pointed out that Vibert's primary foreign policy goal is to secure Magisteria's position as a superpower behind the United States.
Aritonesia[]
In a statement, Phil Vibert congratulated Kouta Hisakawa on his victory in the 2024 El Kadsreian presidential election, emphasizing that he would be "open to strengthening the economic and diplomatic relations between Magisteria and El Kadsre in the future".
Americas[]
Vibert's government strengthened relations with Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, with Magisteria publicly supporting Venezuela in the Guayana Esequiba territorial issue. Phil Vibert attended Javier Milei's inauguration in Buenos Aires on December 10, 2023, which was his first foreign visit as leader.
Regarding the disputed Venezuelan presidential election, Vibert announced in July 2024 that he would not recognize Nicolás Maduro's re-election in Venezuela until the United Nations (UN) and the Carter Center carried out investigations into the Venezuelan opposition's allegations. The Magisterian government additionally stated that "[Magisteria] will be closely monitoring the counting process through the CSEC Center for Democratic Process and [Magisteria] awaits the publication by the National Electoral Council (CNE) of data broken down by polling stations, an essential step towards transparency, credibility and legitimacy" .
Shortly after the exile of Edmundo González to Spain, Vibert announced that Venezuela's membership in the Council of Security and Economic Cooperation will be indefinitely suspended, which began on September 1, 2024.
Middle East[]
Magisteria voted in favor in the General Assembly Resolution ES-10/21, and in the General Assembly Resolution ES-10/22. Vibert preserved the traditional neutral stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, though he condemned several American corporations, including McDonald's, for supporting Israel in December 2023; since then, Vibert has gradually shifted in favor of the Palestinian National Authority.
Economy[]
Vibert is regarded as a market reformist, and he reestablished privatized control in a few economic areas that had previously been placed under state control. While re-establishing privatized control, Vibert has extended state control over Magisteria's economy, claiming support for both government-owned companies and the country's private sector. Under Vibert, Communist Party control of government-owned companies were strengthened, but certain limited efforts toward market liberalization, such as expanding mixed ownership of government-owned companies, were also adopted.
Political views[]
Beginning with his election as the official president in 2023, Vibert's politics and rhetoric led to the creation of a political movement known as the Vibertist movement. Vibert is widely recognized as a left-wing nationalist, emphasizing a rhetoric of nationalism and pragmatic socialism. Many of his recent actions and rhetoric have been characterized as authoritarian, contributing to democratic backsliding. Socially progressive movements in Magisteria have rallied around and support his presidency, primarily to his opposition to homophobia and white supremacy, and he also has a strong appeal to old-school Magisterian socialists who advocate for a stronger executive.
Vibert defines himself as socially progressive. He supports intersectional feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, and Muslim rights, while outspokenly opposing Islamophobia, and white supremacy. Vibert has additionally used anti-fascist rhetoric, referring to his political opponents as "fascists".
Legacy in wrestling[]
Many wrestlers and observers have appreciated Vibert's work as a promoter and booker. Vibert has been described as a "genius" by former DAVE Unified champion JD Morgan. Chris Caulfield, another former DAVE Unified champion, dubbed him "the most creative genius the business has ever seen." Vibert is widely recognized as one of the greatest speakers in the history of professional wrestling.
Personal life[]
Vibert reportedly began dating Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni in 1995 during a trip in Italy and dated her until 1999. Prior to dating Meloni, he dated an unknown woman with whom he had a child named Valentina (b. 1993), a well-known transgender activist in Magisteria. He has since declared that he is not interested in dating anyone.
From 2010 to 2023, Vibert hosted his podcast, Vibert's Voice, with VGC News Chief Political Editor and close friend Mason Roberts. His podcast has been revived on November 1, 2024. He is a film enthusiast who cites The Godfather (1972) and Taxi Driver (1976) as his favorite films.
While retired, Vibert remains a fan of professional wrestling, stating that he continues to watch the Supreme Wrestling Federation (SWF), Golden Canvas Grappling (GCG), and international promotions such as WWE and All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He regularly reviews pay-per-view events of the aforementioned promotions in his podcast.