Alec Baldwin and Sharon Stone unleashed a wave of controversy with their provocative remarks about American voters at an international film festival.
According to Daily Mail, the Hollywood actors faced intense backlash after labeling millions of Trump supporters as "ignorant" and "uneducated" during their appearances at the 42nd Torino Film Festival in Turin, Italy.
Baldwin, 66, initiated the controversy during a press conference on Monday, where he claimed Americans were "uninformed" about global issues. Stone followed suit the next day with her own critical assessment, suggesting that American voters' lack of international travel experience and education influenced their political choices.
Social media erupted with criticism as Americans condemned the celebrities' remarks as elitist and disconnected from reality. Many users expressed their frustration through platforms like X, with one individual sharing a poster directed at Stone that emphasized entertainers should focus on their craft rather than sharing political opinions.
The timing of these comments particularly struck a nerve with some critics, who pointed out the irony of such statements during the Thanksgiving season. Several social media users suggested that Hollywood celebrities should show more gratitude toward the public that supports their careers.
The controversy highlighted a growing divide between entertainment industry figures and their audience, with many viewers expressing fatigue over celebrity political commentary.
The controversial statements emerged amid reports of several Hollywood celebrities planning to leave America following Trump's election victory. Eva Longoria has already begun establishing permanent residency in Mexico and Spain, while Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have listed their California property with plans to relocate to the UK.
Other prominent figures, including America Ferrera and Barbra Streisand, have also expressed interest in UK residency. The trend has seen some celebrities, such as Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling, decide to remain in their current overseas locations.
Stone elaborated on her perspective at the festival, stating:
My country is in the midst of adolescence. Adolescence is very arrogant. Adolescence thinks it knows everything. Adolescence is naïve and ignorant and arrogant. And we are in our ignorant, arrogant adolescence.
The controversy has sparked broader discussions about the relationship between Hollywood celebrities and their American audience. Some industry observers note that such public statements could potentially affect these actors' future career prospects and public reception.
Previous instances of celebrities threatening to leave the country after election results have often resulted in unfulfilled promises. Notable examples include Miley Cyrus, Samuel L. Jackson, and Whoopi Goldberg, who made similar declarations after Trump's 2016 victory but ultimately remained in the United States.
The situation has also highlighted the growing disconnect between entertainment industry figures and portions of their audience, particularly in politically charged environments.
Baldwin and Stone's controversial comments at the Turin Film Festival have intensified the ongoing debate about celebrity political commentary and its impact on public discourse. Their remarks about American voters' education and awareness levels sparked immediate backlash from social media users and critics who viewed their statements as condescending and elitist.
