Oscar-nominated actor Michael Shannon didn’t hold back his feelings about President Donald Trump during a recent red carpet interview, declaring bluntly, “He’s not my President. I will never call him the President of the United States.”
In a video posted on X by user Marco Foster, the Bullet Train and Nocturnal Animals star is seen speaking to a reporter when he launches into a scathing seven-word critique of the 47th president: “He’s an idiot. He’s a total idiot.”
Shannon, 50, has been an outspoken critic of Trump in the past, and his latest comments reignited fierce debate online.
Social Media Reacts: Praise and Backlash
The clip, which has already racked up over 2 million views, drew both applause and outrage across social media.
Supporters of Shannon’s stance called him “a national treasure” and “a brilliant mind,” praising his courage to speak out. “Michael Shannon. Such a great actor and a brilliant mind, too,” one user wrote.
But critics fired back with calls for a boycott. “Never watching his films ever again,” one Trump supporter posted. “Thanks for exposing yourself so I don’t have to make you any richer.”
Another wrote, “Why would I care about the opinion of someone who pretends for a living?”
A third commenter echoed the sentiment, saying, “That’s disappointing. I liked his acting, but now the illusion is ruined.”
Shannon’s History of Trump Criticism
This isn’t the first time Shannon has gone after Trump. Shortly after Trump’s 2016 victory, the actor made headlines during press interviews for Nocturnal Animals, stating he didn’t want to live in a country that voted for Trump.
In that interview with Metro News, Shannon argued that the real wall wasn’t between the U.S. and Mexico, but “between the people who voted for Trump and the people who didn’t.”
“I don’t want to live in a country where people voted for Trump,” he said at the time. “But I don’t want to run away. So we’re just going to have to bust this thing up.”
While Shannon’s comments have polarized audiences, they reinforce his reputation as one of Hollywood’s most unapologetically political voices. Whether his words impact his box office draw remains to be seen — but one thing is clear: Michael Shannon isn’t backing down.
