Josh Brolin Makes a Bold Declaration About Former Friend Donald Trump

Donald Trump, Josh Brolin
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images; Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

What To Know

  • Josh Brolin said his Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery character was not inspired by former friend Donald Trump.
  • Brolin reflected on his past friendship with Trump before his presidency, describing him as a different person.
  • He praised Trump’s marketing genius.

Josh Brolin recently made a bold declaration about his former friend, President Donald Trump.

During an interview with The Independent published on November 29, the actor, 57, opened up about a variety of topics, including his new film Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. Brolin refuted the idea that his villainous character, Monsignor Wicks — a manipulative religious leader — was inspired by the POTUS.

“I could make something up and say it was rooted in a kind of Trumpian greed,” he pointed out. “I’m not scared of Trump, because even though he says he’s staying forever, it’s just not going to happen. And if it does, then I’ll deal with that moment. But having been a friend of Trump before he was president, I know a different guy.”

He and Trump met during the production of Oliver Stone‘s 2010 film Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. During that time, Brolin knew Trump as a New York City real estate mogul.

“I’m sure there was a lot of corruption involved,” Brolin told The Independent. At the same time, he was impressed by the idea of building $400 million hotel “in the middle of a cesspool city during the late ’70s.” He added, “That’s interesting to me. Now it’s power unmitigated, it’s unregulated.”

Although the POTUS, 79, made a cameo in the movie, it was ultimately cut. Brolin, meanwhile, portrayed Bretton James, a hedge fund manager and the main antagonist.

Brolin then declared of Trump, “There is no greater genius than him in marketing — he takes the weakness of the general population and fills it. And that’s why I think a lot of people feel that they have a mascot in him. I think it’s much less about Trump than it is about the general population and their need for validation.”

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, now in select theaters, streaming on Netflix on December 12




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  1. F

    Fish4fish

    He is a marketing genius? All his business ventures, outside of real estate and TV failed.

    1. F

      Fanox

      I mean, its the opinion of an actor.... These generally aren't brightest bulbs.

    2. E

      el zwart

      And I suppose that winning the presidency, not once but a second time after a 4-year hiatus and against all odds, necessitating the most effective marketing campaign of all is to be considered a failure too?

      1. N

        Not Josh

        Not to mention 34 felony counts....

      2. J

        jmoten

        yep...its all fools gold my man!

      3. E

        Elajuwon

        I can consider it a failure of the US electorate. They chose a leader that is constantly petty and vindictive, as well as corrupt, instead of some that wanted to put in the work to help Americans live better lives. So, yes it was a failure.

      4. S

        Sne

        You think he won! Elon bought that election

    3. T

      TDSnobrain

      You TDS puppet, you have no idea what you are even talking about bozo.

  2. A

    Afterlife

    He did get people to vote for him , the marketing part.

    1. G

      gnkvjhvjhv

      no, he had employees design FB ads.

  3. P

    park

    Actors friends are the same as Facebook friends; they all have millions of friends.

  4. T

    Tele Avision

    200 years from now no one will remember almost anyone that was alive in 2025. Trump will be one of a couple of people that will be remembered in history so it is really pointless to shit talk him. There is nothing you can say or do to stop this. Spend your time and energy doing something constructive with your own life in the short meaningless time you have.

    1. G

      gnkvjhvjhv

      You make up the most bizarre example of whataboutism: completely changing the topic to that of a vague future date that is completely irrelevant to you or anyone alive now. Spend your time and energy doing something constructive with your own life in the time you have and make it meaningful instead of supporting Trump who ruins millions of people’s lives.

  5. S

    skiplittle

    Aww, that’s nice of Josh Brolin to not be afraid of his friend. Is he also not afraid of, say, a sociopathic Donald Trump inciting an insurrection? And all-capsing about how elections were stolen from him?