Actor Denzel Washington has been a celebrity icon in Hollywood for decades. However, that doesn’t mean he shares the same exact views as other such icons. In fact, Denzel Washington claims that we’re “being manipulated” by both political sides following the 2024 United States election.
The 69-year-old actor, whose projects include the long-awaited sequel Gladiator II, recently spoke with The Times about his work on the upcoming film. During this discussion, however, the topic turned to politics – and Denzel Washington gave an interesting political stance.
Here’s what he shared while speaking with the outlet:
“You know, it’s so easy to stand outside America and say this and that,” he begins. “Turn around, you know? Pick a country. Any one.”
Furthermore, after warning about making such complaints, Washington had this to add:
“But listen,” he adds. “It’s all politics. All promises unkept. And now with the information age the way it is — if anything — left, right, whatever had better learn how to use those tools to manipulate the people. There was a great line in the first movie I did, Carbon Copy: ‘Power to the people? Yeah, they had it once — it was called the Stone Age.’”
According to Washington, the modern spread of information is also to blame.
“We’re all slaves to information now. We really are. We’re all slaves. So whatever you feel about the leaders, like this guy’s crazy or the other one is sane, you’d better realise you’re being manipulated by both sides. Period.”
He does offer one solution to this conundrum: “Yeah. So go to the movies.”
It’s certainly a point-of-view that’s rarely indulged by Hollywood celebrities, but one that is quite timely given the recent conclusion of the 2024 United States election. At the very least, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have the escapism that comes with going to the movies, as Washington himself recommends to do.