I don't know this Pogo, but the mere fact that his words did not contain anything funny hints towards the absence of a joke... false (or outrageous) statements

I don't know this Pogo, but the mere fact that his words did not contain anything funny hints towards the absence of a joke... false (or outrageous) statements by themselves do not make sarcasm, you also need humour!!! For example if he was also notoriously gay, that would have made a great joke. This is not the case.