Why Is Hollywood Suddenly Silent About Trump?

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As a passionate gamer and avid follower of Hollywood news, I find myself deeply troubled by the recent events surrounding “The Apprentice” film. The fact that the stars are facing backlash for simply wanting to tell a story, to hold a mirror up to our society, is disheartening.

As a person who has always looked up to these artists for their creativity and fearlessness, I am shocked by the industry’s reluctance to embrace this film. It feels like a step backwards, as if we are returning to a time when certain subjects were taboo and free speech was not protected.

I can understand the concerns about validating Trump’s relevance or facing repercussions for criticizing his power, but I believe that art should challenge us and make us think. It should push boundaries and provoke discussion. That is why I admire Jeremy Strong and Sebastian Stan for their bravery in taking on these roles and standing up for their right to free speech.

I find it ironic that the industry was so vocal during the 2016 election, using every weapon at their disposal to try to stop Trump from regaining the White House. Yet now, when the opportunity arises to continue to make a difference through art, they seem to have fallen silent. It is as if they have given up the fight and have resigned themselves to accepting the status quo.

I hope that this is just a temporary lull and that these artists will soon find their voices again. I believe in the power of art to change minds and inspire action, and I am confident that if we continue to push boundaries and challenge ourselves, we can create a more open and inclusive society.

On a lighter note, I can’t help but wonder if the industry is afraid that they might be outshone by the stars of Silicon Valley these days. After all, who needs a celebrity endorsement when you have tech moguls like Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos? But I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what the future holds!

As a passionate fan, I must confess that the interactions in Tinseltown, particularly with “The Apprentice” cast, were surprisingly brusque and unconventional. It left my fellow enthusiasts and I bewildered, amazed that so many of our peers chose to keep their distance from these stars.

The fear has been that people would be perceived as associated with this movie, backing it, promoting it, or publicly endorsing it, and even streaming it. However, Jeremy Strong, who portrays Roy Cohn in the self-funded production depicting Donald Trump’s early years, explained to me that storytelling serves a different purpose: it reflects reality, challenges comfort zones, and provokes thought rather than just providing amusement. In essence, it’s about holding people accountable, he said.

As a fellow participant in these extraordinary times, I can’t help but find no topic more pertinent than the one we’re navigating together,” he continued. “Being overlooked by the industry during this period has truly been challenging.

His co-star Sebastian Stan was almost as pointed.

In relation to artistic expression and creativity, it’s crucial that we safeguard the freedom of speech. This shouldn’t be a limited or selective form of free speech, Stan argued, following his comments on Variety‘s Actors on Actors. Instead, he emphasized that freedom of speech should encompass every aspect, and we must not become accustomed to the boundaries of what is considered acceptable or unacceptable for discussion.

An unusual occurrence surrounds “The Apprentice,” a show that boasts a timely theme and an impressive 83% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, yet it’s being shunned by the industry. Distributors are avoiding it, and actors remain tight-lipped about it. The film explores how Cohn’s rough tactics influenced Trump during his formative years. The question remains: Is it that entertainers are reluctant to endorse Trump’s continued influence or concerned about potential backlash for criticizing his power? Could the situation be reminiscent of a blacklist if a movie about Roy Cohn were produced?

(Journalists do not seem to feel the same: The Golden Globes nominated both Stan and Strong.)

The response mirrors today’s Hollywood scene. Having used all their resources to prevent Trump’s return to the White House – from Beyoncé concerts to George Clooney editorials, as well as Taylor Swift’s endorsement – the industry has largely fallen silent like Harold Lloyd in the aftermath of his victory.

As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but feel disheartened when I see the silence from many contemporary stars regarding recent political events. Mark Hamill once said, “we get the leaders we deserve,” and if Billie Eilish is right about Trump’s “war on women,” then it’s crucial that our voices are heard. Jennifer Lawrence once urged us not to let defeat win us over, but enrage us instead. After the 2016 election, Robert De Niro didn’t hesitate to call out a real racist. Steve Levitan didn’t shy away from denouncing Trump’s lies, and Barry Jenkins didn’t mince words when he spoke out against Trump and his immigration policy from the National Board of Review stage. I can’t help but wonder where they are now. Their voices mattered then, and they matter now more than ever.

As someone who has worked closely with celebrities for many years and witnessed their rise to fame and influence, I can attest that awards season serves as a unique platform for them to delve into politics. However, contrary to popular belief, the beginning of this eight-week marathon is not marked by the same level of excitement and frenzy one might expect at the turn. Instead, it’s often a period of quiet preparation and strategic planning before they step into the spotlight.

Prior to the 2017 inauguration, Meryl Streep expressed her dismay at seeing Trump mimic a disabled reporter during her speech at the Globes, stating it left her heartbroken and strongly condemning his harmful nature. While unexpected events can occur, it appears that such impassioned speeches will not be repeated in the upcoming show.

A noteworthy observation about Trump recently comes from an individual often overlooked: Stan, who said, “We must resist normalizing what is acceptable or unacceptable to discuss.

Is this a short pause or a lasting shift in the involvement of celebrities in political matters, as they seem to still be processing a significant setback? Or is it a permanent change? For many years, entertainers have avoided politics, implicitly endorsing Michael Jordan’s famous quote “Even Republicans buy sneakers.” However, could this be changing now?

Trump’s presidency opened the door for widespread criticism, which became popular and even trendy. However, this apparent shift might have just been a temporary phenomenon.

It’s possible that the silence isn’t a sign of cowardice but rather a period of reconsideration. This thought might cross one’s mind. The 2024 campaign witnessed every renowned celebrity lending their endorsement, from Oprah and Clooney to Beyoncé and Taylor – all known by just one name, symbolizing our collective faith. However, a significant number of voters remained unconvinced. Consequently, a line of reasoning seems plausible: “If Taylor and Oprah couldn’t sway people, how could I?” or “If all the shouting in 2018 didn’t stop him, perhaps we should try a different approach?

A new perspective might make it simpler to accept the reasoning, since no innovative strategy has been proposed yet. It’s alright to set aside any disagreements for now. However, so far, there hasn’t been anything new brought forward from the toolbox.

As a passionate gamer, I’ve noticed an intriguing shift in the power dynamics – Silicon Valley and Hollywood have been stealing the spotlight for quite some time now, not just in financial wealth, but also in social influence and fame. And it’s becoming evident day by day: entertainers are either acknowledging their dwindling influence or, unfortunately, staying quiet and potentially aiding this trend.

It’s also plausible that their concerns might stem from a place of self-preservation. For instance, individuals such as Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos, who are not affiliated with MAGA, might be worried about the potential impact of a Trump comeback on their businesses. Similarly, celebrities should consider this possibility, given the widespread popularity he enjoys.

However, isn’t that the case? The 77.3 million who supported him can’t overpower the 76.5 million who didn’t. If you were Stan and Strong, you would also be puzzled, perhaps even angry. They might well think, “You encouraged us, goaded us to fight. But when you saw we were losing, you seemed to ignore our existence.

If you’re a supporter of liberal celebrities within the Democratic party, it’s understandable if you feel frustrated. Unlike conservative fan bases who see their favorite stars reciprocate their support, Democratic fans might question: “Why aren’t we being represented more?” or “Where is the activism for us?” Famous figures like Joe Rogan, Matt Walsh, and Ben Shapiro are examples of this phenomenon in the conservative sphere.

“We got motivated,” they’d say. “And you went and normalized what we can’t talk about.” 

Based on my years of reading various magazines and publications, I can confidently say that The Hollywood Reporter is a must-read for anyone interested in the entertainment industry. Recently, an intriguing story caught my attention in their Jan. 3 issue. If you’re not already subscribed, I highly recommend it – you won’t want to miss out on the latest updates and insights from Tinseltown!

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2025-01-03 19:26