John Rich says Hollywood praise for Trump signals ‘woke monster’ fading as Woody Allen hails POTUS

John Rich said Hollywood is rethinking its resistance to Donald Trump, linking the shift to cancel culture turning on its own supporters
PUBLISHED SEP 4, 2025
John Rich said that comedians and artists who were once afraid of cancel culture are now reconsidering Donald Trump (Getty Images)
John Rich said that comedians and artists who were once afraid of cancel culture are now reconsidering Donald Trump (Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: John Rich believes Hollywood is beginning to rethink its resistance to Donald Trump.

He links the shift to cancel culture, which he says has turned on many of those who once supported it.

John Rich links cancel culture to changing Hollywood views

The country singer also pointed to comedians, artists, and even longtime critics who have recently spoken positively about the president. 

"I think a lot of people in Hollywood, even though they're leftists in a big way, they also felt the censorship machine coming after them," John Rich told Fox News

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MAY 11: American singer and songwriter John Rich speaks to the media as he of
American singer and songwriter John Rich speaks to the media as he officially reopens Redneck Riviera Bar & BBQ on May 11, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee (Jason Kempin/Getty Images) 

He added that some comedians who supported Bernie Sanders have privately shared their fear of being canceled if they perform certain jokes.

"I mean, way left. And he even said, ‘I'm afraid to say certain jokes on stage right now. Fear of being canceled.’ And I said, ‘Well, man, that ain't no way to live. I mean, that's not American,’" Rich said. 

INDIO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 12: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Bernie Sanders speaks onstage at the Outdoor Theatreon April 12, 2025 in Indio, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Coachella)
Bernie Sanders speaks onstage at the Outdoor Theatreon April 12, 2025 in Indio, California (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Coachella)

The same comedian, according to Rich, told him he would vote for Trump for that reason. "And so, I think the monster began to eat itself. The woke monster, the censorship monster began to eat itself," Rich added.

Woody Allen says Donald Trump was ‘very easy to work with’

Woody Allen recently recalled directing Trump in the 1998 movie 'Celebrity' and revealed how easy he was to work with.

"He was very polite, hit his mark and did everything correctly and had a real flair for show business," Allen told Bill Maher on his 'Random' podcast. Allen added, "I could direct him now if he would let me, direct him now that he’s president. I think I could do wonders, but he was very easy to work with."



 

He clarified that he does not support Trump politically. "I voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris, and I take issue with him on 95% of the things, maybe 99%, but as an actor to work with he was very good."

CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 11: Director Woody Allen attends the 'Midnight In Paris' photocall at the Palai
Director Woody Allen attends the 'Midnight In Paris' photocall at the Palais des Festivals during the 64th Cannes Film Festival on May 11, 2011 in Cannes, France (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Allen further said, "He was very convincing, and he had a charismatic quality as an actor." Bill Maher responded with humor, joking, "If you think you were canceled before."

Celebrities from Carrie Underwood to Snoop Dogg acknowledge Trump

Maher, who said he doesn’t consider himself a Trump supporter, also praised the president earlier this year. After meeting him in April, Maher described Trump as "gracious and measured" and even self-deprecating.

U.S. President Donald Trump, center, speaks to Vice President J.D. Vance, left, as Carrie Underwood, right, takes the stage to perform during inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th President of the United States. (Photo by Morry Gash - Pool/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump, center, speaks to Vice President JD Vance, as Carrie Underwood takes the stage to perform during inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the US Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC (Morry Gash - Pool/Getty Images)

Other celebrities have made similar remarks. Carrie Underwood, who usually stays out of politics, performed at Trump’s inauguration in January.

Snoop Dogg also changed his stance last year after Trump pardoned a man connected to Death Row Records who had helped him early in his career.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 24: Snoop Dogg attends the 2025 TIME100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 24, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for TIME)'
Snoop Dogg attends the 2025 TIME100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 24, 2025 in New York City (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for TIME)

"Nothing but love and respect" for Trump, Snoop said. The rapper, who once called Trump a "punk," even performed at the inauguration and told fans, "For all the hate, I'm going to answer with love."

Kid Rock echoed the sentiment the same month, saying celebrities now feel "safe" showing support for Trump.

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