For Millennials. By Millennials.
So, the whole of the United States just saw the first Presidential Debate of the 2020 US Elections. President Donald Trump and Joe Biden came face to face for the first out of three times before the decider in November. But, Trump did something that has raised the eyebrows of millions of Americans. He refused to condemn white supremacists and militia groups when asked by moderator Chris Wallace to do so. Wallace specifically mentioned a white supremacist group named “Proud Boys”. But, instead of condemning them, Trump said “Proud Boys”, ‘stand down and stand by’. Now, Hollywood celebrities are reacting to this shocking news on Twitter and other social media outlets.
Before we see how Hollywood reacted to it, see for yourself the portion of the debate where Donald Trump dodged the chance to condemns white supremacists:
Hollywood reacts to Trump not condemning white supremacists
After the debate, a number of well renowned Hollywood celebrities publically called out Trump for being a neo-nazi and racist. Alyssa Milano, who has been one of Trump’s biggest critics and Biden’s biggest supporters, said that not denouncing white supremacy makes you racist. She tweeted:
You either denounce white supremacy or you’re a fucking racist.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) September 30, 2020
I mean…The President of The United States told the Proud Boys–a white supremacist group–to "stand by". #BidenCalm #TRUMPCHAOS #BidenWonTheDebate
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) September 30, 2020
Furthermore, another prominent figure in Hollywood, Ava DuVernay, tweeted that if you still support Donald Trump, then you are de facto standing by white supremacists. She also tweeted that if this debate did not make sure to every non-white American that they have to go into “overdrive to toss his a*s,” then they “may actually deserve what happens next”:
If you support Donald Trump, you agree with this position. There is no picking and choosing. https://t.co/6ETB682WjR
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) September 30, 2020
For those who hadn’t been listening for the past 4 years, Trump just told you that he ain't leaving and that he is a white supremacist. If that doesn't get every American who is not white into overdrive to toss his ass – we may actually deserve what happens next.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) September 30, 2020
Moreover, actors that belong to Hollywood’s biggest franchise yet, the MCU, also condemned Donald Trump openly. As expected, climate activist Mark Ruffalo had the loudest voice among MCU actors in calling out Trump. He tweeted that the US has a “nazi problem” and that he wants to live in the country where the President is “not afraid to call white supremacists and Nazis racists thugs”.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a nazi problem in this country. https://t.co/uE6c68zQMJ
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) September 30, 2020
I want to live in a country where my President is not afraid to call white supremacists and Nazis racists thugs and terrorists and then do everything he can to stop them. #WithBidenWeCan #Debates2020
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) September 30, 2020
Finally, actor and comedian Josh Gad arguably had the loudest of all the voices among Hollywood celebrities who called out Donald Trump for not condemning white supremacists. It was a particularly sensitive topic for Gad because of his Jewish heritage and the fact that he lost relatives in the Holocaust. Because of that, he was rightfully furious at the President’s refusal to condemn white supremacists and neo-nazis. He tweeted:
Two options after tonight: you’re either with the Neo-Nazis or you’re with the rest of us. No more to discuss.
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) September 30, 2020
The Nazis killed my family members. Tonight Trump told them to “stand by.” I have never imagined saying these words in my life. “Mr. President, FUCK YOU.”
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) September 30, 2020
P!nk, Stephen Curry, Chance the Rapper, Mindy Kailing, and other Hollywood celebrities also condemn Donald Trump
P!nk was especially outraged at Trump. She was incessant on voting the President out of office after Donald Trump refused to denounce white supremacy. She also tweeted that she is “so ashamed that we’ve lowered ourselves to even consider another term for this shameful loser”.
Vote this racist, childish, ignorant, tax evading, DRAFT DODGING CLOWN OUT OF OFFICE.
— P!nk (@Pink) September 30, 2020
America,
Are you okay with this dipshit? Seriously? I’m so ashamed that we’ve lowered ourselves to even consider another term for this shameful loser. Even if you think it’s still defendable behavior. Your children are watching— P!nk (@Pink) September 30, 2020
Moreover, Chance the Rapper, Stephen Curry, and Mindy Kailing also condemned Trump. Curry was especially appalled by the words “stand back and stand by”. Moreover, Jon Favreau also tweeted against Trump. However, we’re not talking about Happy from the MCU’s Iron Man films. We’re talking about the host of the Pod Save America Podcast.
Stand back and stand by??????????? No further questions your honor! #vote
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) September 30, 2020
He called racial sensitivity training Racist
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) September 30, 2020
I denounce white supremacy! See that was so easy
— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) September 30, 2020
There it is. Trump couldn’t (wouldn’t) condemn white supremacists.
— Fortune Feimster (@FortuneFeimster) September 30, 2020
The President just refused to condemn white supremacy
Not sure how the pundits score that one!
— Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) September 30, 2020
A literal dictionary also condemned the President
If you thought that the outrage only came from Hollywood celebrities, then you thought wrong. You know Merriam-Webster, right? We have all had one of their dictionaries in our bookshelves. Well, their official Twitter account also tweeted, differentiating between the meaning of “stand back” and “stand by”:
'Stand back': to take a few steps backwards
'Stand by': to be or to get ready to act #Debates2020
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) September 30, 2020
Hollywood celebrities and a lot of the United States is baffled by what Trump refused to say. And it is especially concerning after the Black Lives Matter movement held protests across the globe in the wake of George Floyd’s killing. Racism was the biggest topic in the US in summers, despite COVID-19. This will indeed play a role in the outcome of the elections and sends a strong message out to neo-nazis, white supremacists, and racists that Trump might be on their side. You can watch the complete debate here: