Chris Pratt, known for his role in Jurassic World, has faced significant backlash from fans online after appearing to express support for Donald Trump during a podcast interview.
Due to his marriage to Katherine Schwarzenegger, Pratt, 46, is connected to a prominent figure in the Trump administration: Robert F Kennedy Jr.
RFK Jr., a controversial anti-vaccine advocate, is Schwarzenegger’s cousin on her father’s side. He is known for making contentious statements, such as suggesting the creation of a registry for autistic individuals, among other controversial remarks.
Recently, Pratt appeared on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast, where his comments regarding Trump critics and the president’s policies sparked controversy among listeners.
In the podcast, Pratt mentioned that there were “certain things that would be good to have” from the policies supported by RFK Jr.
“I’ve spent a number of occasions hanging with him [in a] strictly family dinner kind of vibe,” Pratt said. “I really got along with him well and think he’s great. He’s funny, he’s wonderful. I love him,” Pratt told Maher, before claiming that politicians ‘inherit enemies’.
“And when you jump on the bandwagon with the most divisive president ever, it makes sense that you’re going to be made to look terrible. So I don’t know what to believe.”
He continued: “It’s not like I say to Bobby, ‘Let’s talk about this’ while we’re playing cards or having fun or having dinner. I’m not going to pick his brain to find out exactly which of those things are true. I just assume that none of them are?”
“For the most part, I wish him well. There are certain things [he] oversees that seem to be supported in a bipartisan way.”
During the discussion, the Guardians of the Galaxy actor expressed: “I’d hate to be so mired in hatred for the president that any success from his administration is something I’d be having an allergic reaction to.
“To be like, ‘Oh, well, if they do it, I don’t want it to happen. I’ll put Clorox in my children’s cereal myself!’ Be reasonable here. There’s certain things that would be a good thing to have.”
These remarks ignited a strong response from Pratt’s fans, who took to social media to criticize a behind-the-scenes reel from his Prime Video series The Terminal List: Dark Wolf.
One comment read: “I respected your work, but supporting Trump makes it impossible for me to see you the same way.”
Another Instagram user wrote: “I had a lot of respect for you and your work – but defending this administration reflects your values. I will no longer watch any of your movies. Power to the people.”
Tagging Pratt’s page, a third person wanted the actor ‘to understand how horrible the policies of RFK are’.
“People will die unnecessarily for generations because of this,” they argued. “His mere words will set our medical advancements back a decade. You can be red, blue, purple or anywhere in between but this has no place in politics. Everyone will suffer at some point in the future because of what is happening today.”
Additionally, a fourth former fan urged Pratt to consider the ‘unbelievably dangerous’ nature of Trump and RFK Jr. to the nation.
“I’m agnostic myself, but I’d urge you to pray on this with an open heart and mind. Your reach is broad and anything other than disdain for DT is a major oversight at best,” they stated.