Sean Penn blasts Trump for picking Sylvester Stallone, Jon Voight and Mel Gibson as Hollywood ambassadors
MARRAKECH, MOROCCO: Sean Penn has expressed his disapproval of President Donald Trump's decision to appoint Sylvester Stallone, Jon Voight, and Mel Gibson as Hollywood ambassadors, labeling the move as a "clown show."
During a recent appearance at the Oxford Union, Penn, known for his outspoken political views, shared his thoughts on the controversial appointments.
Sean Penn criticizes Donald Trump's Hollywood ambassador appointments
On January 16, President Donald Trump revealed that actors Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone would be appointed as "Special Ambassadors" to Hollywood.
"It is my honor to announce Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone, to be Special Ambassadors to a great but very troubled place, Hollywood, California. They will serve as Special Envoys to me for the purpose of bringing Hollywood, which has lost much business over the last four years to Foreign Countries, BACK—BIGGER, BETTER, AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
It is my honor to announce Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone, to be Special Ambassadors to a great but very troubled place, Hollywood, California. They will serve as Special Envoys to me for the purpose of bringing Hollywood, which has lost much business over the…
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) January 16, 2025
"These three very talented people will be my eyes and ears, and I will get done what they suggest. It will again be, like The United States of America itself, The Golden Age of Hollywood!" the POTUS added.
When asked about the development, Penn made it clear that he wasn’t keen on engaging with the appointment of these high-profile figures in Hollywood. "Look, clown shows can do great damage but I'm not very interested in them," the 'Milk' star said, The Express reported.
In addition to his comments on the Hollywood ambassadors, Penn also criticized the Academy Awards’ decision to decline Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s request to speak at the 2022 Oscars ceremony.
The ceremony, which took place just five weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine, was an opportunity for Zelensky to address the global community and thank them for their support.
“What they don't do is have any backbone at all,” Penn stated. He recounted his own attempt to facilitate Zelensky's involvement, revealing that when he reached out to the Academy, he made it clear that the president would not be discussing either former president Joe Biden or President Trump.
“I made it clear he wasn't going to be talking about President Biden. I made it clear he wasn't going to be talking about (then former) President Trump. He represented this incredibly courageous country at large,” he said.
Sean Penn reflects on Volodymyr Zelensky's message about films' role in crisis
According to Sean Penn, Zelensky, who is also a filmmaker, wanted to speak about the importance of films in times of crisis and the value of artistic support.
"He's a filmmaker and he wanted to thank everyone for their support at that time and talk about the big medicine that film can be and the value of film," Penn added.
In addition to these critiques, Penn also weighed in on the infamous moment at the previous Oscars when actor Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock in response to a joke made about the 'Men in Black' actor's wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
Penn referenced the incident, mocking the Academy’s priorities in light of their decision to reject Zelensky’s offer.
"And the idea they traded that for a b***h slap from Will Smith to Chris Rock, serves them right," Penn said, referring to the highly publicized moment that stole the spotlight during the year’s Oscars.
