Politics makes strange bedfellows—even stranger than normal in the 2016 election season. On Thursday morning, Republican presidential nominee tweeted a grateful message to left-wing filmmaker Michael Moore:
I agree, @MMFlint– To all Americans, I see you & I hear you. I am your voice. Vote to #DrainTheSwamp w/ me on 11/8. https://t.co/D7nBwkogBb
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 27, 2016
Moore, whose 2004 documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 trashed Republican president George W. Bush, has a history of conservative- and Republican-bashing (as well as a record of making up supposedly embarrassing stories about a certain WEEKLY STANDARD journalist!). But the Flint, Michigan, native seems to have had some kind words (though not in the kindest language) to say about Trump and his supporters lately. Trump’s tweet links to a video containing audio of Moore praising Trump for “standing up” to politicians, big companies, and special interests.
“Trump’s election is going to be the biggest ‘f— you ever’ recorded in human history,” Moore said.
It’s pretty clear Moore’s comments don’t actually reflect his own opinions—the audio is taken from a clip from his new movie, Michael Moore in TrumpLand, in which Moore appears to be expressing the views of a Trump supporter from the upper Midwest. And as Rolling Stone reported last week, Moore has referred to Trump supporters as “legal terrorists” and says he is supporting Hillary Clinton for president.
But Trump supporters like Sean Hannity and Breitbart have promoted Moore’s comments, and the statement appears to have taken off on the alt-right online community. Now, the leader of the movement, Trump, is praising Moore.
