Hollywood and much of the rest of the U.S. watched in disgust and shock as supporters of President Donald Trump breached the Capitol building in protest over Congress meeting to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election.
The members of the pro-Trump mob, some wearing full riot gear, broke into offices in the Capitol building and forced congresspeople to hide under their desks in terror as police drew guns at rioters who had gotten inside. Several lawmakers, including Vice President Mike Pence, were evacuated from the building.
Like many people closely watching the news unfold around the country, members of the entertainment industry shared their outrage over the rioters. Many pointed their fury at Trump, who since losing the election had been fiercely spouting baseless claims of voter fraud. Several Republican politicians, including Josh Hawley, Jim Jordan and Ted Cruz, vowed earlier in the week to delay the certification hearing. During the hearing, Pence said he would defy Trump’s wishes and refuse to stop Biden from being named the winner of the election.
UPDATE: “The Wolverine” and “Walk the Line” director James Mangold called for a full out boycott of the Fox News network calling for all “fellow content makers” to cancel any appearances on Fox and use their power to keep ads for their films and television shows off Fox as well.
Watching lawlessness in our capitol — thugs supporting a coup — & deeply saddened. The Murdochs have inflicted so much racism, sexism, virulent lies & damage to our nation. Fellow content makers, we must cancel appearances on Fox & use our power to keep ads 4 our shows off Fox.
— Mangold (@mang0ld) January 6, 2021
“So, Trump tweeted something now. Which is good. He had to wait until AFTER his followers had pushed past police and entered the Capitol building and there was a face off with guns, but, you know, okay,” wrote director James Gunn.
So, Trump tweeted something now. Which is good. He had to wait until AFTER his followers had pushed past police and entered the Capitol building and there was a face off with guns, but, you know, okay. https://t.co/TAT8CBsYuk
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) January 6, 2021
Many people also pointed out the difference in police response to the rioters at the Capitol building and protesters for the Black Lives Matter movement.
“Imagine if this was our side. There would be rivers of our blood in the streets and not a single one of us would be armed. This has been allowed. #CoupAttempt,” wrote Mark Ruffalo.
Imagine if this was our side. There would be rivers of our blood in the streets and not a single one of us would be armed. This has been allowed. #CoupAttempt
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) January 6, 2021
Chris Evans pointed out the obvious differences between this mob at the Capitol and the police reaction to past peaceful protests across America in 2020.
Just think of the carnage had they not been white.
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) January 6, 2021
“The way they would have dropped a whole bomb on the capitol if this was us,” wrote Matthew A. Cherry.
The way they would have dropped a whole bomb on the capitol if this was us.
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) January 6, 2021
“This is either a dereliction of duty by the Capitol Police or a complicit desire to not plan for the known threat of chaos today,” wrote Josh Gad. “Either way, this is inexcusable. If you can be prepared for imaginary ANTIFA protesters, you had no business not prepping for these actual terrorists.”
This is either a dereliction of duty by the Capital Police or a complicit desire to not plan for the known threat of chaos today. Either way, this is inexcusable. If you can be prepared for imaginary ANTIFA protestors, you had no business not prepping for these actual terrorists.
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) January 6, 2021
Sacha Baron Cohen, a vehement critic of Facebook, begged Mark Zuckerberg and the heads of Twitter, YouTube and Google to ban Trump.
Hey Mark Zuckerberg, @jack, @SusanWojcicki and @sundarpichai — Donald Trump just incited a violent attack on American democracy.
Is that FINALLY enough for you to act?!
It’s time to ban Donald Trump from your platforms once and for all! pic.twitter.com/4oWoiMu0eC
— Sacha Baron Cohen (@SachaBaronCohen) January 6, 2021
Many members of Hollywood also called for Trump to be impeached. See more reactions below.
Impeach him right now
— Dylan O’Brien (@dylanobrien) January 6, 2021
He should be impeached and removed from office tomorrow.
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) January 6, 2021
Impeach and remove. Impeach and remove. Impeach and remove. Impeach and remove. Impeach and remove. Impeach and remove. Impeach and remove. Impeach and remove. Impeach and remove. Impeach and remove. Impeach and remove. Impeach and remove. Impeach and remove. Immediately.
— Mike Birbiglia (@birbigs) January 6, 2021
These terrorists are just attacking police and the police are just letting them. Where’s all that confidence police had when they were swinging batons at Black people, young girls, old people, and friends of mine during BLM? https://t.co/RIifJksssv
— Lilan Bowden (@yourfriendLilan) January 6, 2021
This is a colossal failure for The Secret Service, The Mayor of D.C., and the Washington D.C and Capitol Police.
If this can happen today (Jan 6), what do you think could happen on Inauguration Day (Jan 20) just TWO WEEKS from today?
— Don Winslow (@donwinslow) January 6, 2021
fucking Christ. a coup?? A COUP???
what a time to be alive.— Auli’i Cravalho (@auliicravalho) January 6, 2021
absolutely mind blowing. truly, utterly disgusting. never has it been more obvious why we so desperately needed @realDonaldTrump out of office. he wants this. he wants terror. https://t.co/F8OVqpLOON
— Dylan Minnette (@dylanminnette) January 6, 2021
Holy Shit our nations capitol is under attack by terrorists.
— RainnWilson (@rainnwilson) January 6, 2021
Just figuring that out, @RepKinzinger ?? Your party caused this. They’ve breached government. Insurrectionists are ON THE FLOOR OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE. You all did this. Cowards. Traitors. Seditionists. https://t.co/LbruVCBBEr
— Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) January 6, 2021
You know, TV pundits, you can use stronger words than “remarkable” for what’s happening right now at the US Capitol
— Jeff Yang (@originalspin) January 6, 2021
it is so sad to me watching the far right break into the capitol building. the protests happening months ago fighting for basic human rights faced severe police brutality for not even a fraction of the aggression. it is truly heartbreaking. im praying for the safety of everybody.
— YUNGBLUD’s on mars (@yungblud) January 6, 2021