Texas actor Glen Powell is facing backlash online after saying that he does not want to talk about politics.
The actor shared his views on politics with Esquire magazine while appearing on its latest cover. According to Variety, Powell said that his parents never brought current events to the dinner table, something he appreciated growing up. “Politics interests him even less now,” the magazine wrote.
Powell continued by saying that politics is not for him because he believes it divides people, which has contributed to his disinterest in the subject. “Over time, I realized that politics divide people. People trying to prove their point — for me, it’s the worst version of a conversation. I genuinely do not like the discourse. It’s not as healthy as it once was. [Engaging in politics] is not presently possible. I applaud people for jumping into those things and fighting for what they believe in. If I were a political person, I would be talking about it. For me, my calling is elsewhere,” he said.
Powell is not the first celebrity to distance himself from political discussions. Dolly Parton has long avoided publicly taking political sides, while Josh Duhamel has said he does not share his strong political opinions because he does not want to alienate part of his audience. Jennifer Lawrence has also pulled back from political commentary in recent years, saying she does not want her views to turn people away from her films.
Despite Powell’s comments, another part of his interview added to the backlash he faced. He discussed how his film The Running Man struggled after Paramount laid off its entire marketing team as part of a merger. Some fans online argued that this experience alone should have prompted Powell to speak out about politics.
Celebrity reluctance to discuss politics has increasingly become a point of contention among fans, particularly when political decisions can directly affect the entertainment industry. Some viewers believe celebrities have a platform and therefore a responsibility to speak out about issues that affect their fans, careers, or the wider public. In Powell’s case, some online users felt that his comments about The Running Man’s marketing team being laid off illustrated why they believe celebrities should pay attention to politics, even if they do not want to publicly take a political side.
Fans Criticize Texas Actor For Refusing to Talk About Politics
Many fans began criticizing Texas actor Glen Powell for saying that he does not want to talk about politics. Some believed that celebrities have a responsibility to speak out because of their public platforms. “Anyone who says they don’t want to talk about politics, is a huge red flag,” one person wrote. Others speculated that Powell supports Trump, with another person saying, “My experiences have been the people that say that support this administration quietly and don’t want to be outed. Because if you’re gung-ho about supporting women’s rights, for example, why would you be quiet about it if someone is trying to have a conversation or asks you about it.”
More people criticized Powell, with one person writing, “Saying you’re not talking about politics is talking about politics and it sends a very clear message about your position. What is happening is about so much more than politics. These are human issues that every decent human should care about.” Another person said, “His GF Michelle Randolph comes from a very conservative family in Huntington Beach (edited) so I wouldn’t be surprised if those are his leanings as well.”
Powell’s comments led to discussion about whether celebrities have a responsibility to speak out about political issues. Some viewers also debated whether celebrities who choose to stay out of politics should face criticism for taking that position.
