NOMINATIONS | 2020 Jerk of the Year

With one of the worst years in recent memory about to end, it is time to find out who the worst of the worst is for the past 12 months or so, with the nominations open for 2020 Jerk of the Year.

As you’d expect Coronavirus is at the heart of a number of nominations, the pandemic bringing out the worst in a lot of people.

Although affected by Coronavirus in some ways, front runner for 2020 Jerk of the Year Donald Trump would have no doubt received monthly nominations without his inept leadership in dealing with Covid-19.

Then there’s a bunch of people who all made a difference in their own special way in 2020. For the worse.

All Jerk of the Month winners are included, as well as some of the strongest performing jerks from the rest of the year’s monthly voting.

As ever the ultimate decision for the year’s biggest jerk is down to you the reader, and voting is below. You can vote for as many jerks as you like on as many devices #VoteEarlyVoteOften. We will also have a brief rundown of each month’s action and a form guide for each nomination.

What are you waiting for? Vote now for the 2020 Jerk of the Year.

2020 Jerk of the Year Voting Here

Vote Now. Vote Early. Vote Often. Vote for as many as you like.

They asked for it.

THE JERK OF THE YEAR HONOUR BOARD

2019 – Israel Folau

2018 – David Warner and Donald Trump

2017 – Jarryd Hayne, Donald Trump, Bernard Tomic

2016 – Channel 9 Cricket Commentary

2020 Jerk of the Month Summary

The year started off with bushfires and some ordinary leadership from Scott Morrison who deservedly won the January 2020 Jerk of the Month award, with bushfires affected locals and our readers showing their disdain toward the PM. His fellow Liberal/National politicians also rated highly with levels of incompetence and ignorance with Sports Rorts and more. Two of the world’s most unpleasant things in a home – Domestic Violence and MAFS took out the February 2020 Jerk of the Month wins. At this stage Coronavirus was starting to ramp up from a China based problem to the world. It was to affect Jerk of the Month voting for the rest of the year.

As Coronavirus starting to really affect Australia, it brought out the worst in people, so Panic Buyers and People Who Couldn’t Be Bothered Doing Quarantine won the March 2020 Jerk of the Month. April 2020 saw Donald Trump win his first monthly jerk award, it was to be one of many for 2020. An even worse human being was a joint winner – the Victorian Porsche Driver who took photos of dying police officers before fleeing after a crash and he was pulled over for an infringement.  Worse than Trump is poor rating of your soul.

May 2020 saw the US plunge into massive protest, mostly caused by the death of George Floyd of which May 2020 Jerk of the Month winner Derek Chauvin was charged for.  The US didn’t really improve from that point onwards and June 2020 saw Donald Trump win a second Jerk of the Month title, this time shared with outspoken golf enthusiast and (even worse) former AFL Footy Show mainstay. Sam Newman. Something about golf from memory, which suits the partnership with golf mad Trump we guess.

Back to Coronavirus and a local Brisbane based nomination for the July 2020 Jerk of the Month, with Border Bratz winning the monthly award after causing an allegedly an outbreak in South East Queensland. There’s a lot of allegedly about their behaviour and none of it was good. That month also saw the real emergence of people protesting everything Covid related, a highlight being a certain Karen, who like Adolf has ruined a first name forever for loads of people. They featured again in August as runners up. Donald Trump won his third monthly award in August.

Donald Trump actually won every monthly Jerk award from August, as he clinched wins in September, October and November. Note: Jerk of the Month was his only legal win in November. He did share the November award with Idiots Who Can’t Shut Up during National Anthems thanks to a State of Origin clash. Some others “involved” in sport like Darius Boyd came runner up in October, a culmination of being a major influence in the Brisbane Broncos receiving their first wooden spoon. Donald Trump’s family also rated highly for October at the height of the unpleasantness aka US Election.

There was no December monthly award, as most of the jerks in the world had already done their best. And we’d run out of room. Potential nominations for December would only be re-offenders anyway.

2020 Jerk of the Month Form Guide

DONALD J TRUMP

POS-US

Where to start with Donald Trump’s nomination for 202 Jerk of the Year?

Well, like most things, go straight to Wikipedia for the truth or near enough to it.

Early in the year it’s all about the way he handled the Coronavirus, in the middle it was about the 2020 US Election, and since it has been about the US Election results.

By rights he should be gone by January, but who could rule out another attack on the Jerk of the Year trophy in 2021.

He is the stand out nomination with multiple monthly awards.

2020 Jerk “Achievements”

Monthly winner in April, June, August, September, October, November.

CORONAVIRUS

Life sucking Pandemic

Who’d think some brushed off as just like an ordinary flu would have such extraordinary effects around the world. So many lives lost. More Livelihoods lost for those who survive.

We did come up with some Upsides of Coronavirus earlier in the year, but after months and months, the sheen on that wore off quickly.

Showing it can affect anyone at all, the latest high profile capture was our favourite Greg Norman.

He says F*** Covid. We agree. As ever.

2020 Jerk “Achievements”

Regular Monthly Nominations, Runner Up March.

SCOTT MORRISON

Australian PM

To be fair to “Scomo” he did his very best Jerk-work very early in 2020. His handling of the bushfires was pretty appalling at times, and received come-uppence live on TV with abuse from passing Fire Trucks drivers live on the 6pm news, and SES volunteers refusing to shake his hand, not that it stopped Scomo from being a man of the people.

As a monthly winner Scott Morrison is a must include, but it is safe to say he handled Coronavirus better than the bushfires. Although not perfect with some bitching about state ALP governments handling of Covid-19, and ruining the LNP’s chances of winning the Qld State Election by turning up for a few days.

2020 Jerk “Achievements”

Monthly winner in January.

PANIC BUYERS

Toilet Paper hoarding idiots

As lockdowns started to occur around the world and particularly in Australia, there were was loads of footage of people going berserk with trolleys loads of selfishness.

Sure, maybe grab an extra something here or there to save going to the shops every day, but the brainless buffoons who loaded their trolleys with more than four families would ever need in a month.

Some of it ending in fist fights, to the mild amusement of many around the country.

2020 Jerk “Achievements”

Winners in March

QUARANTINE FLOUTERS

People too good to play by the rules.

A lot of people quickly returned from overseas when Coronavirus got nasty in Australia, with many making a mercy dash home.

Some of these people were rich snobs returning from skiing in Asspen, or shopping somewhere fancier than Space City. 

It was a long time ago now, but one of the examples is here. 

Like most of 2020, the worst was yet to come.

2020 Jerk “Achievements”

Monthly winners in March

ANTI-VAXXERS, ANTI-MASKERS, ANTI-LOCKDOWNS, ANTI-5G, CONSPIRACY THEORISTS, COVID DENIERS

Groups of ill-informed people gathering to multiply their knowledge by 0.01%

One trend during the Coronavirus affect has been a lot of gatherings of ill informed people.

Like those protesting at wearing masks only to create super spreaders. Not just at the White House.

People protesting lockdowns within a week of restrictions being lifted in certain areas.

Those protesting 5G based on something or other from someone or a guy called Jeremy on social media.

Post after post of After Grog Bog conspiracy theories that made Facebook less relevant and most annoying than ever.

And some lady called Karen, who “charmed” her way to a Bunnings. And ruined the name Karen for many for a while.

Of course like most things the worst of the behaviour was in the US, where the Trump following pebble brains continue to deny that Coronavirus exists at all. Even as they lie in a hospital bed dying.

Of course most will deny themselves a vaccine based on a viewpoint published on Instagram by some Social Media Influenza (pardon the pun) by quoting some crazy former medical professional similar the Qyburn from Game of Thrones. 

More vaccine for the normal people, so thanks.

2020 Jerk “Achievements”

Many monthly nominations

BORDER BRATZ

Responsible for second wave in Queensland, and looked like real life Bratz dolls.

South East Queensland had their big Covid emergency in June/July after a trio of young women returned from a “shopping” trip in Melbourne, and lied about their whereabouts on their return. Melbourne being the hotspot for Australian Covid at the time.

Instead of cutting their losses and staying at home sheepishly, these buffoons went out and about until they got too sick to deny their Covid symptoms any longer.

We got lucky, as they did by avoiding jail. Which was the worst end result for what they did at the time.

2020 Jerk “Achievements”

July Winners.

SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS 

Pouting twits

One of the upsides of Coronavirus was the loss of income for some Social Media Influencers. 

It didn’t stop them being jerks about it.

Demanding fees for promoting products of businesses going bust or unable to pay staff who actually work.

We guess the real victims were the implant suppliers around the world.

2020 Jerk “Achievements”

Second in May

DEREK CHAUVIN

Former Police Officer

As if Coronavirus wasn’t bad enough in the US, but the killing of George Floyd by this Jerk of the Month winner saw the US explode with rage.

Of course it was just one of a number of killings of African Americans by white police in 2020, but this one grabbed the world’s attention.

On the upside, it did lead to some positive action being taken around the world. As ever, pity it takes a death or two for progress to be made.

2020 Jerk “Achievements”

May winner

VICTORIAN PORSCHE DRIVER

High speed douche

After being pulled over for driving like a douche, an almighty accident occurred that ultimately killed four police officers.

Now the Victorian Porsche driver didn’t directly cause the deaths of those officers, but his alleged photo taking and abuse of dying officers ensures this wonderful display of humanity won a monthly Jerk of the Month award.

2020 Jerk “Achievements”

April winner

PETE EVANS

Former Celebrity Chef and Facebook user

Things have gone downhill for former Celebrity Chef Pere Evans in 2020.

With less to do on TV and more time than usual on his hands, he set about getting involved in the conspiracy theory gear, launching many opinions and potential Covid busting products. If he believed in Covid in the first place. Which he usually didn’t.

Towards the end of the year, a photo with Nazi connotations and further BS rambling saw him thrown out of Facebook and worse still lose a spot on I’m a Celebrity on Channel Ten for 2021. To be honest, at least it would have been interesting with him. Perhaps Big Brother then.

We guess the only thing that could have made things worse is being included in Plate of Origin.

Just for fun, why not include Andrew Bolt discussing Pete Evans. A Maelstrom of jerk.

2020 Jerk “Achievements”

Multiple monthly nominations.

SAM NEWMAN

Former AFL boofhead. Now plain boofhead.

Another who regularly featured in monthly Jerk nominations, the worst was when he sarcastically applauded Joe Biden’s win on social media like this – “Shows someone who is mentally retarded and has special needs, can attain high office.”

And going above and beyond the Footy Show banter with this and this.

But in general, he is the epitome of a jerk, which is why he is here among 2020’s biggest jerks.

2020 Jerk “Achievements”

Monthly winner in June

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Awful people doing more awful things.

Domestic Violence is bad enough at any time, but when you set fire to your own children, then it is another level of evil, which was the major reason for this monthly nomination in February.

Jerk is nowhere near strong enough for the act that saw a particular person nominated and winning in February. But is certainly a bare minimum insult 

2020 Jerk “Achievements”

Monthly winner in February

DONALD TRUMP’S FAMILY

Sons, Daughters, In-Laws, Wife who doesn’t even pretend how ill her husband makes her feel.

As if Trump wasn’t bad enough, but he has his children and partners in various positions in the White House.

Their smugness wasn’t enough for a regular JOM nominations, but the post US Election fallout brought out the very worse in them all, with varying degrees of verbal Diarrhoea.

We rounded up various people into one group here for convenience.

2020 Jerk “Achievements”

Runners up in October, nominated in November.

DONALD TRUMP’S ALLIES

Yes men, who should and probably do know better.

Donald Trump has surrounded himself with quite a number of people this year, but the 2020 bunch of sycophants is the worst ever. That’s even discounting the ones he sacked during 2020.

There’s Rudy Guiliani’s gear.

One Trump ally calling for the beheading of the Coronavirus expert.

South Dakota’s governor for still not bothering with safety measures 

Sidney Powell, who was too risky for the Trump lawsuits and was fired so not long ago. But now a conspiracy confident for Trump.

And way too many more to list here. 

2020 Jerk “Achievements”

Regular nominations for various people.

CHANNEL NEIN

FTA Broadcaster

Mainly for their rugby league coverage, of which these days you only have to endure four games. 

But their influence on the NRL when trying to resume stunk as per usual.

Other shows are pretty bad too.

But it’s mainly rugby league.

2020 Jerk “Achievements”

A few monthly nominations.

MAFS

Dating TV show on Television

Aside from featuring the worst type of people in the worst type of environment, they try and call it a social experiment instead of complete arse trash reality TV tripe.

Truly the worst of the worst. Like the glue holding together the planks on the bottom of the barrell.

2020 Jerk “Achievements”

February 2020 Winner

NEWS LTD

Various New Channels and Newspapers

First of all, Fox News US hit the heights/lows of one-eyed Trump supporting in 2020, but even they pulled it up a little after the election when it was clear who won. But they still had their extreme anchors floating absurd conspiracy theories. 

Which makes Sky News Australia being more biased than the US partner all the worse. The Australian 24 Hour New Channel is really the Marianas Trench of news coverage. With even Uni news broadcasts on Community TV providing far more relevance.

And trying to get news from elsewhere like a newspaper in Australia is a joke.

Especially in a place like Brisbane, where the only newspaper in town is News Ltd’a toilet rag. Their not-so-hidden agendas are an embarrassment and make the paper as relevant as the weekly Big W catalogue.

Individual like Tucker Carlson, 

2020 Jerk “Achievements”

Various monthly nominations

FB

A mysterious figure

Little is known about FB, but we can confirm they have earned a seat at the table of 2020 Jerk.

A rarely heard, and even more rarely seen being appears only to take things away and deliver a few words of meaningless drivel as a comfort for those struggling.

We get the feeling that 2021 will see them disappear as quickly as they arrived. And guarantee they won’t be missed by anyone.

2020 Jerk “Achievements”

Nominated during Year.

THE OFFICE KNOW-IT-ALL

Loud mouthed opinionated villain

Every office has one, the arrogant arse who takes over every meeting with the facts based on  the only opinion that matters….theirs.

Like Donald Trump, It doesn’t matter if it is correct, based on any facts what-so-ever, or that shooting their mouth off my affect good people who have done nothing wrong other than work hard against the odds all year, it is all about their opinion only.

Sadly, these twits are usually in a decent position of power, which makes their know-it-all nature even more dangerous as they affect livelihoods around the office. And of course also being in position of power means sycophants are ready with tongues and toilet paper, and willing to justify almost every behaviour. Sadder still, start to copy some of the behaviour.

You would think with most offices going online this year would make the problem less, but in fact with most meeting via camera, the Office Know-It-All is more emboldened than ever to force their will over the office. Much like a 12 year old keyboard warrior trolling people on social media, there’s less chance of face to face come-uppence from the feistier people who won’t stand for it. Because the Office Know-It-All is really a bully after all, or likely a person who had no friends through school, but are now taking advantage of the office politics to be the big man/woman on campus.

2020 Jerk “Achievements”

Many

BRUCE HIGHWAY

Sh!t piece of Australian road.

There’s been a lot of talk of tourism being in real trouble in 2020 around the world thanks to Coronavirus, which has wiped out a lot of operators and businesses.

But few who use the road on a regular basis could argue that the Bruce Highway itself doesn’t affect tourism.

Rarely free flowing in the direction that allows those in the capital to escape for a day, it is truly a piece of sh!t. 

No doubt given the way governments work they will add a third lane in about 10 years after causing construction chaos making it worse for five years. Although, it isn’t the Gold Coast, so perhaps nothing will even happen.

Some may say with all that’s happened in 2020 that a slow moving highway is a minor issue. First of all, up yours, secondly given various restrictions people need to get away, but Mr Bruce doesn’t oblige with the weekend daisy chain of bumper sniffing vehicle action.

2020 Jerk “Achievements”

Multiple Monthly nominations