The controversial 'Hitler-related' venture of the Red Power Ranger

There was a time when Austin St. John battled evil wearing the suit of Jason Lee Scott, the Red Power Ranger from the first installment of the legendary superhero franchise. That was years ago, and since then, many have totally lost his trace.

However, as he nears 50, the actor from Roswell, New Mexico, who gradually drifted away from the acting world (though he never completely left it), has made headlines again with a highly controversial story... and it has nothing to do with the 'Power Rangers'.

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On the podcast 'Toon'd In With Jim Cummings', hosted by the famous American voice actor known for, among others, voicing Winnie the Pooh, Austin St. John announced he was launching a new business focused on selling a new line of t-shirts under the 'Warrior' brand.

The idea for these t-shirts, the actor explained, is to feature quotes from different historical figures. So far, so normal. However, as he pointed out, some of them will bear the words of who many may consider to be the most evil man of all time: Adolf Hitler.

“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." Yes, like Hitler.

Reading the room, the Red Power Ranger added some context for his idea: "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.”

The full interview was posted on the official YouTube channel of 'Toon'd In With Jim Cummings', where it has received all kinds of comments, especially criticizing the actor's decision to launch such an idea.

“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?!?” said another.

Photo: Austin St. John - Instagram

And they weren't the only ones, you could also read comments saying, "Incredibly disgusted to see ASJ not only call Hitler a warrior but talk about making money using quotes from that monster. Wow."

Even one of his co-stars from back then, Amy Jo Johnson, the Pink Power Ranger, echoed the issue, writing on her X account: “Hmmm? I think some people should have publicists. Dear me…”

Austin St. John rose to fame in the 90s thanks precisely to his role as the leader of the first batch of 'Power Rangers' in the 'Mighty Morphin Power Rangers' series, where he worked for 82 episodes between 1993 and 1999.

In 1996, he would return to the role of Jason Lee Scott, this time as 'Gold Zeo Ranger' in the fourth season of the franchise, 'Power Rangers Zeo', this time for a total of 17 episodes; and in 1997, he would appear in the 'Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie'.

In the following years, the actor never left his inseparable character behind, appearing at conventions and occasionally on television, as was the case in 2002 in an episode of 'Power Rangers Wild Force'; in 2020 in another of 'Power Rangers Beast Morphers'; or lending his voice to the video game 'Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid' (2019).

And although these have not been his only acting jobs—see 'Exposé' (2000); 'Footsteps' (2003); 'Surge of Power: Revenge of the Sequel' (2016); 'The Order' (short film, 2016); 'Monsters at Large' (2018); 'A Walk with Grace' (2019); 'Tres Leches' (2002); or the miniseries 'After divorced, I took over the wealthy family' (2023)—none of them has brought him the notoriety he achieved as Jason.

Photo: Austin St. John - Instagram

After several years working as a paramedic and firefighter, St. John began making appearances at conventions from 2014, including a return to 'Power Morphicon', the big event that periodically brings together big fans of the 'Power Rangers' saga; or the famous 'San Diego Comic-Con'.

Photo: Austin St. John - Instagram

Additionally, through his website, he has created a business where he promotes himself as the image of the Red Power Ranger, offering themed products, autographs, personalized videos, or t-shirts (to which he will soon add his new line), among other things. All under the name of 'St. John Enterprises'.

Photo: Austin St. John - Web

It's easy to follow his steps through social media, especially through his Instagram account (austin_st_john), where he has over 279,000 followers and where we will soon see how he promotes his most controversial project. Will he continue with it despite the criticism? Let's see!

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