US stars including John Legend, Kerry
Washington and Mark Ruffalo have shared their feelings following the highly-anticipated television debate between
Donald Trump and his presidential rival
Joe Biden.
Many took to
Twitter to condemn the US president for failing to denounce white supremacy during the debate.
The two politicians faced off in Cleveland, Ohio, for the first debate, which came just over a month before the US presidential
election.
During an acrimonious and chaotic showdown, Mr Trump and Mr Biden exchanged verbal blows while the moderator, Chris Wallace, struggled to take control.At one point, Mr Trump was asked to disavow white supremacists and the Proud Boys, a far-right organisation, but instead told them to “stand back and stand by”.
His unwillingness to issue a blanket condemnation of white supremacy brought sharp and immediate criticism online from many well-known
American celebrities.
In a stinging response, Frozen star Josh Gad, who is of Jewish descent, said: “The Nazis killed my family members. Tonight Trump told them to ‘stand by.’ I have never imagined saying these words in my life. ‘Mr. President, F*** YOU.’”
Actress Kerry Washington, best known for her work on political drama Scandal, tweeted: “Once again. He refuses to condemn White supremacy. PAY ATTENTION FOLKS. Please vote.”Once again. He refuses to condemn White supremacy. PAY ATTENTION FOLKS. Please vote.— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) September 30, 2020Comedian and
Actress Robin Thede also accused Mr Trump of failing to condemn white supremacy, adding: “He encouraged it. The end. There are no two sides to this.”
Singer Christina Perri tweeted: “We just watched the president of the
United States UNABLE and UNWILLING to condemn white supremacy. you all just saw and heard that.”we just watched the president of the united states UNABLE and UNWILLING to condemn white supremacy. you all just saw and heard that. ✌🏼 #Debates2020— christina perri (@christinaperri) September 30, 2020The Boys star Jack Quaid said: “He literally couldn’t denounce white supremacy.”
Zach Braff, best known for his work on TV
comedy Scrubs, tweeted: “Only honest thing I digested: Nazis standby!”Only honest thing I digested:Nazis standby!— Zach Braff (@zachbraff) September 30, 2020And
Actor Patrick J Adams, the Duchess of Sussex’s former Suits co-star, said: “He just refused to condemn white supremacy. That just happened right?”
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the verdict from
Hollywood was in favour of Mr Biden.
Many stars – including Mark Ruffalo, John Legend and
Pete Davidson – were critical of the president.
“We can’t put ourselves through another 4 years of this walking dumpster
fire,” Legend, a frequent critic of Mr Trump, said. View this post on InstagramMy reaction to the debate. Mortified that the world was watching. Please VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTEA post shared by The Real Glenn Close (@glennclose) on Sep 29, 2020 at 8:55pm PDTThe debate – which was marred by frequent interruptions from Mr Trump – included segments on the
Coronavirus pandemic, healthcare and climate change.
Marvel star Ruffalo, a climate change activist, criticised Mr Trump’s environmental record and said “he has no leadership qualities, he has shown that all he can do is denigrate and lie”.You’ve got a decent man vs. a hulking, loudmouth bully with no specific plans on anything.— Stephen King (@StephenKing) September 30, 2020And best-selling author Stephen King, another vocal critic of the president, said: “You’ve got a decent man vs. a hulking, loudmouth bully with no specific plans on anything.”READ MORE: Stars Wars Legend Mark Hamill Sums Up Trump and Biden’s TV Debate In One Perfect Tweet 5 Big Moments From The Chaotic US Presidential Debate 5 Racist Trump Moments From The First 2020 Presidential Debate