Gerald Ratner was CEO of budget jewelry stores and in a speech, made a joke where he described their products as "total crap" and "cheaper than an M&S prawn sandwich but probably wouldn't last as long."
This led to an estimate £500 million loss in company value.
IIRC Senator Fulbright was asked what he thought about East Germany's complaints that all their citizens were fleeing to West Germany and replied "if they think it's such a big problem they should build a wall", perhaps meaning "It isn't our problem that your country is such a shithole that no one wants to live there".
Within a year the Berlin Wall was built, leading some to suggest that East Germany got the idea from Fulbright.
“ hey Archduke Ferdinand , turn down this side street. I know a shortcut !”