In an interview published on Esquire yesterday, Clint Eastwood called the millennial generation the “pussy generation” and came to the defense of the leader of the Republican party, Donald Trump, and most specifically Trump’s history of racist comments.
In the interview, the 86-year-old actor talks quite openly about the nature of politics in this grueling election year and voices some relatively worrisome opinions about “PC” culture.
When asked about Donald Trump, Eastwood says Donald Trump is “onto something, because secretly everybody’s getting tired of political correctness, kissing up. That’s the kiss-ass generation we’re in right now. We’re really in a pussy generation. Everybody’s walking on eggshells. We see people accusing people of being racist and all kinds of stuff. When I grew up, those things weren’t called racist.”
I think it’s important to point out that Clint Eastwood was born and raised in a time period where both segregation and Japanese internment camps were legal.
Clint Eastwood goes on to explain his opinions on racism and Donald Trump.
ESQ: What is the “pussy generation”?
CE: All these people that say, “Oh, you can’t do that, and you can’t do this, and you can’t say that.” I guess it’s just the times.
ESQ: What do you think Trump is onto?
CE: What Trump is onto is he’s just saying what’s on his mind. And sometimes it’s not so good. And sometimes it’s … I mean, I can understand where he’s coming from, but I don’t always agree with it.
ESQ: So you’re not endorsing him?
CE: I haven’t endorsed anybody. I haven’t talked to Trump. I haven’t talked to anybody. You know, he’s a racist now because he’s talked about this judge. And yeah, it’s a dumb thing to say. I mean, to predicate your opinion on the fact that the guy was born to Mexican parents or something. He’s said a lot of dumb things. So have all of them. Both sides. But everybody—the press and everybody’s going, “Oh, well, that’s racist,” and they’re making a big hoodoo out of it. Just fucking get over it. It’s a sad time in history.
Clint Eastwood just finished his new movie Sully starring Tom Hanks, which filmed in Atlanta, Georgia and New York City just a few months ago. Sully stars Tom Hanks as Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and his life before and after the heroic crash landing along the Hudson River in New York City. If you can’t remember, Sullenberger was a piloting US Airways Flight 1549 when it struck a flock of birds. He then performed an emergency landing in New York City’s Hudson River. “Over 40 years in the air,” Hanks as Sullenberger says in the trailer, “but in the end, I’m going to be judged on 208 seconds.”
You can watch the trailer to Clint Eastwood’s new movie below.
How will Clint Eastwood’s comments impact his movie with Tom Hanks? We will have to wait and see. However, many people on Twitter didn’t really take Clint Eastwood’s comments lightly.
Clint Eastwood is right, it wasn’t called “racist” when he was growing up. But now it is. That’s what happens when you grow up.
— James Moran (@jamesmoran) August 3, 2016
I am unsurprised to discover that an anagram of Clint Eastwood is Old Racist Prick.
— Nick Harvey (@mrnickharvey) August 4, 2016
Clint Eastwood: This generation overreact and call everything racist.
Millinnials: Omg! Clint Eastwood is racist!!!!
— Ishii’s Pet Pitbull (@ButtonFlyOnly) August 4, 2016
Clint Eastwood said when he grew up they didn’t call things “racist”.
When he grew up schools were also still segregated.#idiot
— Harry Cook (@HarryCook) August 4, 2016
You can read the rest of the interview, which also includes some colorful insight from his son, Scott Eastwood, here.
Related:
- [WATCH] Atlanta Filmed ‘Sully’ Starring Tom Hanks Movie Trailer
- 5 Richest Actors Who Started As a Background Extra
- Clint Eastwood’s Daughter Shares His Best Directing Advice
What do you think? Share with us your thoughts in the comments below.
