Should actors be fired for supporting Trump?

[spooky3]

One of my guilty pleasures is recording a soap opera that I’ve watched off and on since college. Several months ago an actor I liked and who seemed to be a nice guy was let go “for budget reasons” mid-story line. They are writing around the role for now rather than killing the character off. But they have brought in other characters since, suggesting that $ is not the issue.

So I did a little web research and found rumors that the actor let go was a Trumper, and that the most powerful actor on the show is very anti-Trump and anti-insurrectionist. Apparently most of the cast agrees.

I wish the cast could have won the fired actor over. But I think it’s ok for the show to fire people who support traitors, since they have the flexibility to fire anyone if they’re willing to pay out the contract. At the same time, it really isn’t relevant to their job performance, and it’s not good to see workplaces whipped around, depending on who has the power.

What do you think?

On edit: I went to the actor’s Instagram. He posted about multiple trips he took at Christmas and afterwards. He had Covid last fall. Pretty stupid. So another possibility is that the show didn’t want him putting other actors or crew at risk.

[LakeArenal]

1. No. It's a free country. But I wouldn't hire them on the first place.

Mr Lake says no. They should be shot.

I think that is a bit extreme. But reasonable.

[bullimiami]

4. only if it affects their ability to do their job.

[LakeArenal]

11. I'd fire them if they spewed trumpism.

[live love laugh]

2. There are too few details to decide one way or the other. nt

[lpbk2713]

3. Maybe he just wouldn't shut up about his political preferences.

And so he got to be an annoying distraction. And then they showed him the door.

[XanaDUer2]

5. Right

work is not the place to broadcast political opinions. It's unprofessional. I'm torn about this due to the HUAC destroying artists' careers in the past.

[LonePirate]

6. People should not be fired for possessing a political view that does not impact their job.

That being said, if he skipped work to join in the January 6 insurrection or if he expressed his political views belligerently on the job (because we all know right wingers have a tough time keeping their mouths shut and like to force their views upon everyone around them), then we start to venture into territory where he should be fired.

Keep in mind, there may be lefties working with a right win boss or majority right wing co-workers , who need their job. So we should not advocate someone losing their job because of political views if those views/actions do not impact the job

[agingdem]

7. no...but relegate them to 10 second no lines walk-on roles..

avoid any reverse discrimination lawsuits...

[rsdsharp]

31. I think that makes them extras.

Whole different union.

[blogslug]

8. My guess is the situation isn't so cut and dried.

My guess is the actor created a hostile work environment.

[DBoon]

9. Not for political opinions in themselves

but unfortunately Trump supporters often have many other personality defects which make them impossible to work with - aggressive rudeness, not being able to keep politics out of the workplace, selfishness, racism, and insubordination when it serves to "own the libs"

I speak from experience here

[Aristus]

10. If that's what the producers want, sure.

The production and broadcasting of a television show is a private business endeavor. If the producer thinks an actor’s political beliefs are going to harm the bottom line, making $$$, they have every right to fire the actor.

Money aside, if an actor’s beliefs, or actions that stem from those beliefs, contribute to a toxic workplace, the producer has not only a right but a duty to fire the actor.

Trumpsters and other right-wingers are constantly complaining that they are being oppressed “just because we have different beliefs.”

And that’s not it at all. Believe what you want. But if it leads to people or our nation being harmed; or as on January 6th, both, then you’ve crossed a line.

[KarenS]

12. I watch the same soap opera,,,, they've built a ridiculour story line to 'explain' his departure,,,

and,,,,, I thought he would be able to play Jon Ossoff if they ever made a movie about him but the political views are soooo not there,,,,

[spooky3]

17. That's a great idea! But he either wanted to leave (claims

that’s not the case) or is very stubborn. If it were another scenario, it could be he’s standing on principle. But Trumpers haven’t shown that they actually have principles.

It also makes me wonder if there is more to the story.

The actor had COVID last year. Maybe he wasn’t willing to follow rules to protect others on the set, or maybe there were unrelated problems.

[Arkansas Granny]

13. No, not for that alone. If they were causing a disruption at the workplace,

that would be grounds, but not just for their political affiliations.

[David__77]

14. This raises the question: should law prohibit this?

Right now there aren’t such protections at least at the federal level. If enacted, what should be protected? Somehow I doubt that Trump supporting politicians will go far in advocating for such laws.

[sarisataka]

15. Absolutely,

to the exact same degree you would support actors being fired for supporting Biden.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

42. Joe Biden didn't incite a fascist takeover of the Capitol Building.

Joe Biden didn’t court white supremacists.

[haele]

16. If the actor is professional while on the set, there should not be any issue with personal politics.

Same as at any workplace. Religion, politics, any other personal proclivity - who cares so long as the focus on the job site is on the trust that you won't bring personal baggage to the work or project you are getting paid to do.

Now, if the two were at loggerheads and making an uncomfortable work environment, they both have to back down or one has to go. That's just the way it is in any profession.

Haele

[DTRV]

18. No

An actor's political views are irrelevant to his/her profession.

[hlthe2b]

19. Wrong? Probably. But, I'm betting you are referring to iconic Eric Braeden (a staunch liberal)

who most will recognize, given his career dates back to the ubiquitous western and he often appeared on Gunsmoke and others. He's been around a long time and no doubt wields some power, so he would likely be able to put the kibosh on a newer actor disrupting with Trump nonsense if he so chose. A former colleague of mine knew Braeden from long ago and so I've followed his career a bit, even though I'm not a daytime tv watcher. But, while I'm glad he's a staunch liberal Democrat, he is one i'd not want to cross.

Here was his comment re: Trump after one of the SOTU addresses, where Pelosi was attacked by RW for ripping the summary of his comments.

"I came as an immigrant, with hardly a dollar in my pocket, I have watched many a President, REALLY appreciate this GREAT COUNTRY, worked hard and can discern a bullsh*t artist when I see one! He grew up with a silver spoon and accomplished WHAT? He has bullied every single person who runs or ran against him! The fact that none of the other Republican candidates stood up to him after he leveled one puerile insult after the other against them is a very sad state of affairs for the Party!"

So, yeah, that veteran actor is quite the anti-Trumper and he rules the roost, apparently. If I were a fellow actor, I'd be appreciative not to work on a set with Trumpers constantly haranguing, but should it be policy? Probably not. But then again, have you met many Trump supporters who could interact civilly and not disrupt everyone else in the workplace? I haven't. Conversely, I witness most progressives simply agreeing not to talk politics, religion, or other social issues at work.

[Aristus]

24. I only know Eric Braeden from "Colossus, The Forbin Project", and

I'm overjoyed to know that he's a liberal Democrat.

It explains how a brilliant, strong, and humanistic man could stand up to a computer that threatens to annihilate the human race if we transgress.

Forbin simply says: "NEVER!"

[ChrisF1961]

27. Never forgave him for killing Dr. Zira

[dalton99a]

20. Trump cultist probably tried to proselytize and run his mouth

[greenjar_01]

21. ...

[OneGrassRoot]

22. Maybe a different frame:

What if an employee supports Nazis and the Kkk and this is known by other co-workers?

That’s not merely a different political opinion. The same is true of Trumpism.

Right-wingers claim victimhood no matter what, so I think it’s way past time to shun all who hold such heinous views in an attempt to make followers who are pro-fascism, pro white supremacy, anti-immigrant and pro-QAnon know their values and “opinions” are unacceptable in our society.

[Crunchy Frog]

23. I don't think so, as long as it's not affecting their work. If they were being really unpleasant

about it, and using it to bother their coworkers, it would make sense, but in the absence of other unacceptable behaviors, I don't think so.

[oasis]

25. Those who embrace misinformation which borders on lunacy are subject

to episodes of dangerous delusional behavior.

Who the hell wants to deal with that kind of shit?

[UTUSN]

26. Their lack of talent kills off their careers. Their Drumpfiness is just one sign of their lacks.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

28. I really doubt he was fired because he supported Trump.

I mean, Kimberlin Brown, who appeared on Y&R's sister show B&B, SPOKE at the 2016 RNC - and she still appeared on B&B after that.

[spooky3]

33. See my edit at the bottom of OP.

Looks as if you’re right.

[50 Shades Of Blue]

36. I watch B&B every day, LOL. Y&R most days.

[spooky3]

38. :-) It's a lot like playing with dolls as a kid. Nt

[Blue Owl]

29. IMHO yes!

Just for spite.

[FakeNoose]

30. Turn it around the other way

Most of us liberal/progressives are in sympathy with the Jewish actors and entertainers who lost their jobs during the Nazi era. Many were fired but some were also threatened in other ways and encouraged to "quit" voluntarily. But the result was the same, Jewish people were brutally discriminated against even before the holocaust began. Many had to leave Germany or other parts of Europe and fled to the United States for their own safety. Knowing that happened 80 or 90 years ago, how can we believe that it's OK to fire someone for their political (or religious) philosophy? I don't think we can.

If the offending person's behavior on the set didn't adhere to the rules, then it's a different story. The person wasn't very smart and maybe got himself fired by offending his co-workers or bosses. I don't know if that's the case, but maybe it is.

[Akoto]

32. If they use their job to do so, yes. If expressed as personal opinion, no, they have the right. n/t

[JI7]

34. Trump supporters tend to be racists and other hateful types

and if they get fired it's becsuse of things like that.

[JI7]

35. Trump supporters tend to be racists and other hateful types

and if they get fired it's becsuse of things like that.

[ZonkerHarris]

37. In Hollywood 3 words take control of peoples fate more than they know: Life's too short

That;s why assholes get fired from shows. In front of and behind the camera.

[Grins]

39. Short/long answer

Short: No.
Long: If it’s James Woods, yes. Eff that guy.

Even longer. Story has it Woods was a complete shit on set. Others could stand him, not because of his work, but that he was a disruptive wad of shit to work around. That’s reason enough not to hire him. Or fire him.

[Demsrule86]

40. No, It is a free country and people have a right to support whom they choose.

The old 'I despise every word you say but I would die for your right to say it...free speech. Now I know firing someone for having a political opinion that you don't like isn't a violatioin of free speech but it is a violation of the spirit of this country IMHO.

[Raine]

41. Absolutely NO! YOU or ANYONE could be on the receiving end one day

depending on who is In power ... Don't go there! 👎