Actor Johnny Depp asks „When was the last time an actor assassinated a president?“
Another day, another stupidly dangerous suggestion from people who have made a lot of money in the entertainment field and think that makes them qualified for political commentary.
This time, it’s actor Johnny Depp, who suggested the idea of assassinating President Donald Trump .
Appearing Thursday (June 22) at the Glastonbury arts festival in southwest England, Depp asked the audience, „Can you bring Trump here?“
The New York Times reports that remark was met with booing and jeering, and he continued: „You misunderstand completely. When was the last time an actor assassinated a president? I want to clarify: I’m not an actor. I lie for a living. However, it’s been a while and maybe it’s time.“
Johnny Depp: „When was the last time an actor assassinated a President?“
Crowd reaction? Cheers & laughter
GOP reps targeted/shot days ago pic.twitter.com/aRsJ5lxB0L
Depp’s comments were apparently a reference to actor John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln in 1865.
Depp, who was introducing a screening of his 2004 film „The Libertine, “ clearly knew how his words would be interpreted, even as he tried to dodge responsibility.
„By the way, this is going to be in the press and it’ll be horrible, “ he said. „It’s just a question; I’m not insinuating anything.“
The comments are particularly stupid coming just a week after a gunman opened fire a group of Republicans practicing for a baseball game, critically wounding House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, and three others.
The shooter, who had a history of making hateful comments about Republicans and conservatives, opened fire after confirming that the players on the field were members of the GOP. He also carried a list of six Republican congressmen in his pocket.
In May, comedian Kathy Griffin, was forced to apologize after posing with what appeared to be the bloodied and severed head of the president.
At the Women’s March on Washington in January, the singer Madonna said that she had „thought an awful lot about blowing up the White House.“
In February, comedian Sarah Silverman called for a military coup. Snoop Dogg released a music video in which he assassinates a clown dressed as Trump.
This is where the left pushes back with all the stupid things Trump has said that could incite violence and the horrible attacks on President Barack Obama. Yes, that was just as bad. But can we all agree that it needs to stop?
Tim Morris is an opinions columnist at NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. He can be reached at tmorris@nola.com. Follow him on Twitter @tmorris504.
