Head of State

In Washington D.C.'s 9th Ward, Alderman Mays Gilliam (Chris Rock) is a beacon of hope for his community, where crime runs rampant. With a genuine understanding of the neighborhood's struggles, he fights tirelessly to make a difference in people's lives. However, when Miss Pearl's home is slated for demolition after she was paid a paltry $40,000, Gilliam finds himself at odds with the city officials. As Miss Pearl rushes back to rescue her trapped cat, Gilliam risks his own life to save her from the impending destruction.

Little does he know, his selfless act will have far-reaching consequences. Mayor's disdain for him deepens as Gilliam's tendency to help those in need costs money and tarnishes the mayor's reputation. As a result, Gilliam is evicted from his office, and even his lawyer, Bernard Cooper (Keith David), urges him to adapt to the situation.

Gilliam's personal life also takes a hit as his girlfriend, Kim (Robin Givens), leaves him, believing he has plateaued. But fate has other plans in store for this unlikely hero. When the Democratic Party's presidential nominees meet their untimely demise in a plane crash, Gilliam finds himself catapulted into the spotlight as the unexpected candidate for the 2004 election.

As the media hails him as a hero for saving Miss Pearl, Gilliam becomes an overnight sensation. The Democrats, led by Senator Bill Arnot (James Rebhorn), Debra Lassiter (Lynn Whitfield), and Martin Geller (Dylan Baker), recognize that with Gilliam on their ticket, they can bank on the loyalty of minority voters in 2008, thereby securing a strong foundation for their future presidential bids. With Bill's eyes set on the presidency in 2008, he offers Debra the running mate position, ensuring her support and paving the way for his own political aspirations.

As Debra skillfully convinces Gilliam that his unique ability to empathize with the common man makes him an ideal candidate, Bill astutely observes that Gilliam's innate compassion for the underprivileged would finally have a platform to make a profound impact on the national stage. Meanwhile, the campaign's security team is bolstered by the arrival of Mr. Earl (Jude Ciccolella), tasked with safeguarding Gilliam's well-being, and Nicollette "Nikki" White (Stephanie March) as executive director of Internal Liaison, whose primary responsibility is to ensure the candidate's reputation remains untarnished by scandal.

In a surprising turn of events, Mays finds himself smitten with Lisa Clark (Tamala Jones), a gas station attendant who moonlights as a cocktail waitress and has become a fervent supporter of his campaign. As Gilliam navigates the treacherous landscape of politics, he's confronted with a personal dilemma when Kim reappears, claiming their engagement is a fait accompli. In response, Gilliam calls in security to escort her away from the campaign trail.

Initially, Gilliam feels overwhelmed by the weight of responsibility, fearing that as a representative of the African American community, any misstep would tarnish his reputation. His support remains stagnant at 10%, with vague and uninspired speeches failing to resonate with voters. However, Mitch's (Bernie Mac) arrival on the campaign trail marks a turning point. As a bail bondsman, Mitch brings a fresh perspective, urging Gilliam to abandon the scripted rhetoric and speak truthfully about pressing issues like welfare reform, healthcare disparities, income inequality, pension reforms, education, and societal injustices.

Emboldened by his brother's influence, Gilliam begins to tackle these challenges head-on, coining the rallying cry "That Aint Right" as a call to action against the systemic problems plaguing American society. By refocusing his campaign around genuine concerns and advocating for marginalized communities, including LGBTQ individuals and sex workers, Gilliam undergoes a transformative shift that ultimately resonates with voters and propels his support to new heights.

As Lewis's campaign resorting to base tactics, including a scurrilous attack ad claiming Gilliam supports cancer, the latter begins to fight back with a clever counter-strategy. Drawing inspiration from the iconic cartoons of Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd, Gilliam starts "kissing" his opponent, releasing a series of biting satirical ads that leave Lewis scrambling to respond. The pièce de résistance is a video tape featuring Osama bin Laden expressing his disdain for America but an affinity for Brian Lewis - a move that proves devastatingly effective in propelling Gilliam's campaign forward.

As Gilliam's popularity soars, reaching 30 points in the polls, even Debra, once a loyal operative of Bill's, finds herself torn between her loyalty and her growing admiration for Gilliam. When Bill orders her to sabotage Gilliam's campaign, she refuses to comply, recognizing that the candidate is a force to be reckoned with.

Meanwhile, Lewis remains obstinately unwilling to engage in a debate with Gilliam, prompting Bill's investigators to release damaging footage showing the latter in association with known drug peddlers and criminals. However, as election day draws near, Gilliam begins to unravel the mystery behind his unexpected candidacy, ultimately firing Martin and Debra from his campaign.

Martin, determined to make amends, reconciles with Gilliam and convinces him to reinvigorate his campaign. He introduces Gilliam's brother as his running mate, a move that helps shift the focus back to the main issues and erases some of the negative sentiment surrounding Gilliam.

Undeterred by Lewis's reluctance to debate, Gilliam persists in his demands for a face-off, eventually securing an agreement from his opponent. As the big day approaches, Gilliam reaches out to Debra for guidance on how to prepare for the debate, and she agrees to help him hone his message.

In the end, it is Gilliam's authenticity and conviction that win over the crowd, as he speaks truth to power about American life. He talks candidly about the importance of discipline in education, suggests putting gun laws on video to educate the public, and critiques the nation's wasteful spending habits, including its tendency to subsidize farmers who grow food while millions go hungry.

Gilliam also takes aim at the country's out-of-touch priorities, pointing out that heroine is cheaper than AIDS medicine and that billions are being spent overseas with little tangible impact. His argument is simple yet persuasive: America was built by pioneers who were willing to take risks and try new things.

In the end, Gilliam emerges victorious, and he proposes to Lisa, expressing his desire to make her his First Lady.