Hollywood’s enigmatic rebel Johnny Depp is making headlines again. This time for a speech he made at the Glastonbury arts festival in England. The actor was there to introduce a screening of his 2004 film “The Libertine” in which he portrayed poet and second earl of Rochester John Wilmot. Like many of his colleagues in the entertainment industry, Depp proceeded to jokingly poke at the president, but it quickly turned sour. The trouble for Depp started when prior to the screening he addressed the crowd with an interesting question: “When was the last time an actor assassinated a president?”
Oh Johnny!
Depp jokingly asked the crowd if they could bring Donald trump to the festival.
The mere mention of Mr.Trump was met with immediate boos and hisses from the crowd. So, Depp went on to state that his question had a historical frame and more of a hypothetical frame. The actor alluded to the 1895 assassination of Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth and asked when the last time something like that had occurred and questioning whether another similar event was overdue. Depp said, “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 awhile, and maybe it’s time.”
Dangerous times of entertainers
Depp’s comments come on the heels of many other entertainers and actors receiving waves of backlash after questioning, critiquing, and mocking Trump.
Most recently Kathy Griffin received seemingly unending waves of criticism, disassociation, and threats from her sensational photo shoot in which she held the severed, bloodied head of the president. In the ensuing outrage, people and other entertainers from across the political spectrum joined in condemning Griffin for the provocative image.
Meanwhile, others defended Griffin, stating that creating the images and expressing her contempt was part of her First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and expression.
No doubt for Depp
Despite the online outrage, Depp is not surprised, as he predicted at the time of making the statements. He acknowledged that his question would inflame some and definitely drive a media conversation, but wanted to make it clear that he was not suggesting anything by his comments.
“By the way, this is going to be in the press and it’ll be horrible. It’s just a question; I’m not insinuating anything,” Depp acknowledged.
What do you think of Depp’s comments?
