Actor and filmmaker Ron Howard shared some choice words about President Donald Trump’s past in the entertainment industry in a series of tweets on New Year’s Day.
On Wednesday, Howard, who is known for his role as Opie on the classic show “Andy Griffith,” tweeted a Washington Post analysis on how the stock market has performed during the Trump administration. A Twitter user @macgeek1969, responded with a question:
“why is the smallest of achievements heralded as better than the second coming of Jesus when it comes to Obama, but with Trump it is only negativity from Hollywood & Democrats?’”
»MORE: Ron Howard says he will boycott Georgia if abortion law takes effect
The producer unleashed some pointed remarks about Trump in a retweet of the question Wednesday afternoon.
“In the entertainment industry many who have known/worked w/ Trump think that while his reality show was fun and ran a long time, he’s a self-serving, dishonest, morally bankrupt ego maniac who doesn’t care about anything or anyone but his Fame & bank account & is hustling the US”
What followed his Twitter venting was a number of supporters of the president disputing Howard’s claims about Trump. Several users challenged Howard, who directed films including “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” “A Beautiful Mind” and “Apollo 13,” on his “moral” comments, because he has associated himself with Harvey Weinstein, who has been accused of sexually assaulting several women.
Tell us more about the moral uprightness & well of virtue Hollywood is, Ron. Then GFY. pic.twitter.com/gmIaxdFpaR
— St. Antoninus the Fancy (@LoneStarTexian) January 1, 2020
Howard previously revealed his political views during the debates about Georgia’s “heartbeat” bill, which calls for banning abortions as early as six weeks for pregnant women. He said he would boycott Georgia if the law passed.
His vocal critiques Wednesday stirred discussions about Howard’s past, including his previous friendship with Trump.
His comments were dismissed by some because Howard has lived his life financially affluent due to his career as a child star and filmmaker. Early Thursday, the 65-year-old responded to the critique about his “elitists” in Hollywood, who cannot aptly understand the impact of a thriving stock market or low unemployment rate.
honestly not what I’ve seen or felt throughout my lifetime from the vast majority of people in the entertainment business. In fact, I gotta say it’s the opposite. Most are not from LA or NY to begin with. Now Trump is both an elite and a reality show star.
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) January 2, 2020
Howard responded to hundreds of tweets, and, in one, he aimed to clarify his point of view as less of a party issue and more of an experience issue. He used former President Ronald Reagan as an example.
User @steveburr asked, “As opposed to everybody else in the entertainment industry?”
Howard responded, “They aren’t elected servants or leading the free world .... nor in my opinion should any of us be without first gaining elected office and functioning in that post as #PresidentReagan did gaining 8 yrs experience before becoming #POTUS. like him or not, he was experienced"
He later told his followers his first vote for president was for former President Richard Nixon in 1972.
A few supporters of the filmmaker said the scathing comments about Howard were not fair.
I met Ron once. I recognized him but didn't say anything. Talked for a couple hours off & on at a Dodgers game. Great dude. To insinuate his immorality based on an inaccurate supposition while deflecting away from an impeached president's illegal action is, at best, troll-like.
— Scott Piotrowski (@Route66LA) January 1, 2020
