Samuel L. Jackson is not worried about his politics jeopardizing his career, which sort of goes without saying for a liberal actor in 2019.
He talked about his disdain for President Trump and his supporters in an interview for Esquire’s April cover story, and many media outlets zeroed in on his claim that he doesn’t care if Trump supporters boycott his films because of his anti-POTUS views.
On one level, this attitude is just what Jackson’s fans expect. Moviegoers have come to know and love the prolific actor for his colorful language and “I don’t care” attitude. The magazine cover even reads, “The BleepTASTIC Samuel L. Jackson tells it like it is.”
But, the “Pulp Fiction” Oscar nominee isn’t particularly bold for calling out his “haters,” as some outlets called them. It’s popular to loathe the president, it’s cool to call Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., one of “those assholes,” and it’s banal to say Trump is “ruining the planet.” Jackson may be bold, but joining the #Resistance is about as conventional as it gets.
Because of these opinions, some fans want Jackson to stay out of politics, and he knows it. “You’re an actor. Stick to acting,” he says. “No, motherfucker. I’m a human being that feels a certain way.”
Of course, he’s entitled to his opinions. Jackson decided to skip the 2008 Oscars to campaign for former President Barack Obama. In January, he tweeted his support for Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s Trump impeachment plan. He can enjoy political activism on the side without damaging his career, but he shouldn’t imply that he couldn’t care less about people on the other side of the aisle.
Discussing Trump, he said anyone who’s not speaking out against the administration is complicit in ruining the world.
On Trump, Jackson isn’t bold. He’s just divisive. If people want to boycott Jackson’s films because of his liberal opinions, they’re being ridiculous. But if people who aren’t part of the #Resistance boycott his films because of his attitude toward them, then perhaps they have a point.
