Washington DC actor Samuel L. Jackson is being criticized online after saying that he would “spread the wealth” if he ever became president.
The actor was attending the Los Angeles premiere of his new movie, The Beast, in which he plays the president of the United States. Directed by Renny Harlin, the action thriller follows the president after a militia coordinates a coup against the U.S., forcing him to take control of the heavily armored presidential limousine known as The Beast. With an injured Secret Service agent inside the vehicle, he must use its classified defensive capabilities to survive the attack, reunite with his wife, and protect the country.
While at the premiere, Variety asked Jackson during a red-carpet interview what his priority would be if he became president. He answered that he would “spread the wealth” to bring back the middle class. Jackson added that he also grew up in a middle-class family.
The reporter then asked Jackson whether it would be possible to achieve this nowadays, but the actor expressed doubt. He added that he would still like to pursue it so people could afford groceries, raise their children, and buy a car.
Jackson’s answer quickly sparked backlash online, with some viewers accusing him of hypocrisy. Some argued that if he believed wealth should be spread around, he could start by sharing his own earnings. X user @LangmanVince wrote, “Hey Samuel L. Jackson, if you want people to spread the wealth around, how about we start with you? Do you really need to make $10–$20 million per movie? How about you take $100,000 and have the studio spread the rest around to people making minimum wage on the movie set?”
Some viewers also interpreted Jackson’s response as a criticism of President Donald Trump’s performance in office. This is particularly when he discussed the struggles many Americans face when trying to afford groceries, raise children, and buy a car. His comments about wanting to restore the middle class led some people to view his answer as a contrast to the current administration’s approach to the economy. However, Jackson did not explicitly mention Trump or say that his remarks were directed at the president.
Viewers Slam Washington DC Actor Over Wealth Statement
Many viewers criticized Washington DC actor Samuel L. Jackson over his comments about wanting to “spread the wealth” if he became president. Some argued that he should start by sharing his own wealth. “A real middle class is based on an honest day’s work for an honest days pay! It’s not based on handouts for people too lazy to work! I haven’t heard about you adopting a poor white family up in Appalachia. Another Hollywood elite trying to tell us what to do!” one person wrote. Another person said, “These people don’t give two hoots about you or if you got any money they do the same as any one whos better off so you should concentrate on making your life better not believing [expletive].”
More people continued to criticize the actor, with one person writing, “When an actor insists that everybody working on the tv/movie project, cast and crew, gets paid the equally for working on the project then I will believe they are doing more than just lip service and virtue signaling.” Another person said, “Better yet, take his tens of millions and spread it evenly to everyone that worked on the movie. Everyone gets an equal share. Isn’t that what the so-called democratic socialists want? Start in Hollywood. See how it works out.”
Jackson’s comments led to discussion about the criticism celebrities can face when speaking about the financial struggles of everyday people. Some viewers also questioned whether celebrities who advocate for spreading wealth should begin by sharing more of their own earnings.
