Matthew McConaughey Tells America That It’s Time To Embrace Trump


When you look at Matthew McConaughey, you don’t expect to see the voice of reason. After all, this is the guy who has made a living playing roles that buck the trend. McConaughey’s iconic roles include the chest thumping mentor in Wolf of Wall Street, and the 20-year old slacker hanging out with kids from Robert E Lee High in Dazed and Confused. So hearing him call for calm and cooperation in a year that has been marked by division is unusual.

But then again, unusual is what he does. So, when an interview that the actor did on Sunday was released, many people were divided by his calm words. While speaking on The Andrew Marr Show, McConaughey was asked if he thought it was time for Hollywood and the cultural elite of America to give Donald Trump a break. His response was thoughtful and eloquent.

“Well, they don’t have much of a choice. He’s our president, and it’s very dynamic and as divisive of an inauguration and time that we’ve ever had. At the same time, it’s time for us to embrace, shake hands with this fact, and be constructive with him over the next four years. So, even those who most strongly may disagree with his principles or things he’s said and done — which is another thing, we’ll see what he does compared to what he had said — no matter how much you even disagreed along the way, it’s time to think about how constructive can you be. Because he’s our president for the next four years. At least.”

[Image by Evan Agostini/AP Images]

McConaughey is not usually vocal about politics. He was born and raised in Texas, and that has led many people to assume he is a conservative. But folks across the aisle point to his roles in films, as well as his tendencies to smoke marijuana and bathe infrequently. It is known that he is supportive of the gay community, but he doesn’t talk about many issues that the rest of Hollywood loves to talk about. There are no records of him speaking publicly about abortion, immigration, healthcare or gun control. This snippet may be the first time that the actor has openly spoken about politics in an interview.

The response to Matthew’s statement was as divided as you’d expect. On Twitter, the comments included people who were grateful for his stance, saying, “Thanks for being a voice of reason in a place where ppl think they r wiser than the fly over states,” and “So true!”

Others were not so kind, saying things like “You really want this man making decisions for the welfare and safety of your children? Shame on you.,” and “On behalf of all proud folks from Austin, Texas: Matthew McConaughey does not speak for us. The man has lost his mind. Ignore him.”

Still others went for the comedy, playing off of Matthew’s famous, “All right, all right, all right” catchphrase.

Hollywood itself remains as equally divided as the rest of the country. Many stories have been printed about Meryl Streep’s speech about Donald Trump at the Golden Globe Awards and his uneven response to her. But there are staunch Republicans in Tinseltown that are just as supportive of the new President.

[Image by Jordan Strauss/AP Images]

Willie Robertson, star of Duck Dynasty has made no bones about how he feels, appearing at the RNC in July. Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice promised her vote for Trump last year, and Ted Nugent, a vocal right-wing musician, actively campaigned for Trump.

Other famous supporters of the Trump administration include Kanye West, Clint Eastwood, Kirstie Alley, Jon Voight, and Stephen Baldwin.

What do you think of Matthew McConaughey’s statement? Do you support giving Trump a chance? Let us know in the comments below.

[Featured Image by Dennis Van Tine/AP Images]

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