Actor Brad Pitt made a political statement at the Oscars on Sunday about President Donald Trump’s Senate impeachment trial and was subsequently mocked online by critics.
Pitt, who won Best Supporting Actor for “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” said during his acceptance speech, “They told me I only have 45 seconds up here, which is 45 seconds more than the Senate gave John Bolton this week.”
Referencing the director of the movie, Quentin Tarantino, Pitt continued, “I’m thinking maybe Quentin does a movie about it and in the end the adults do the right thing.”
WATCH:
#Oscars Moment: Brad Pitt wins Best Supporting Actor for @OnceInHollywood pic.twitter.com/TSGjMB3v8P
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) February 10, 2020
Following his acceptance speech, Pitt was confronted about it by a reporter who said, “Some unkind souls have suggested that you had a writer throughout the speeches this award season, say it ain’t so.”
“Well, no, I’ve actually, historically I’ve always been really tentative about speeches, like, they make me nervous,” Pitt responded. “So, this round I figured if we’re going to do this, like, put, like, some real work into it and try to get comfortable and, and this is a result of that. Um, no I definitely right them, I have some funny friends, I have some very, very funny friends that help me with some laughs but, but no it’s got to come from the heart.”
Another reporter asked, “Tonight, you did have your political reference, what kind of prompted you to go that way?
Pitt responded, “I was really disappointed with this week and I think when gamesmanship trumps doing the right thing, it’s a sad day and I don’t think we should let it slide and I’m very serious about that.”
Brad Pitt on why he chose to get political in his acceptance speech: “I was really disappointed with this week… I don’t think we should let it slide and I’m very serious about that” #Oscars pic.twitter.com/LGLoviQ3Xn
— Variety (@Variety) February 10, 2020
Critics quickly responded to Pitt’s remarks online, noting his apparent lack of knowledge about the impeachment process and what happened.
British news personality Piers Morgan said, “Took 10 seconds for the first winner (Brad Pitt) to bash President Trump. Only surprised it took that long. As always, this will help Trump not hurt him.”
Took 10 seconds for the first winner (Brad Pitt) to bash President Trump.
Only surprised it took that long.
As always, this will help Trump not hurt him. #Oscars2020— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 10, 2020
Fox News host Greg Gutfeld said, “I have to hand it to Brad Pitt for coming up with that brave political statement extemporaneously, without any help from various speech-writing agencies that his people definitely did not contact.”
i have to hand it to Brad Pitt for coming up with that brave political statement extemporaneously, without any help from various speech-writing agencies that his people definitely did not contact.
— GregGutfeld (@greggutfeld) February 10, 2020
Media personality Larry Elder responded, “Brad Pitt, winner of Best Supporting Actor … made a crack about John Bolton not testifying before the Senate during the Trump impeachment trial. Apparently, Pitt is unaware that Bolton has REFUSED to testify without a subpoena.”
Actress Alana Stewart added, “The first acceptance speech has to have a political jab? Can’t we just have one award ceremony without offending half the viewers? Newsflash, Hollywood, most people don’t care about your political views.”
The first acceptance speech has to have a political jab?Can’t we just have one award ceremony without offending half the viewers? Newsflash, Hollywood, most people don’t care about your political views. #BradPitt #Oscars #Oscars2020 https://t.co/CLVTGOs7Ns
— Alana Stewart (@AlanaKStewart) February 10, 2020
Fox News contributor Tomi Lahren tweeted, “Brad Pitt, ‘They told me I only have 45 seconds up here, which is 45 seconds more than the Senate gave John Bolton this week.’ Look, TDS and @realDonaldTrump have now made the Left cozy up to John Bolton. Their illness knows no bounds!”
Brad Pitt, “They told me I only have 45 seconds up here, which is 45 seconds more than the Senate gave John Bolton this week.”
Look, TDS and @realDonaldTrump have now made the Left cozy up to John Bolton. Their illness knows no bounds!
— Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) February 10, 2020
Media personality Dana Loesch mocked Pitt, writing, “Maybe in Quentin’s movie he’ll explore why House Dems didn’t call more relevant witnesses during their investigation.”
Maybe in Quentin’s movie he’ll explore why House Dems didn’t call more relevant witnesses during their investigation
¯_( ツ)_/¯ https://t.co/WNsYAeRIdH— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) February 10, 2020