Angelina Jolie has expressed deep concern over the state of democracy and free speech in the United States, stating that she no longer recognises her own country. Speaking at the San Sebastián film festival in Spain on Sunday, the Oscar-winning actor was asked what she fears as an artist and an American.
“I love my country, but at this time, I don’t recognise my country,” Jolie said. “Anything anywhere that divides or limits personal expressions and freedoms from anyone, I think, is very dangerous.” She added that these are “very, very heavy times we are living in together.”
Jolie’s comments come days after ABC, owned by Disney, suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely. The decision followed criticism from Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission, over Kimmel’s remarks about the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s fatal shooting. Kimmel had said that “the MAGA gang [is] desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them.”
Several Disney stars and prominent figures have criticised the suspension. Mark Ruffalo, who plays the Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, wrote on Threads that Disney’s stock will “go down a lot further if they cancel” Kimmel’s show permanently. In a video for the anti-Trump “No Kings” protest, Ruffalo said: “It is the US government that is now suppressing the freedom of speech.”
Pedro Pascal, who starred in Disney’s Fantastic Four: First Steps, wrote on Instagram that he is “standing with” Kimmel, adding: “Defend #FreeSpeech Defend #DEMOCRACY.” Olivia Rodrigo, who rose to fame on Disney shows, said she was “so upset over this blatant censorship and abuse of power.” Damon Lindelof, creator of the ABC series Lost, pledged not to work with Disney+ again unless Kimmel is reinstated.
Jolie has appeared in several Disney projects, including Maleficent and The Eternals. Her remarks highlight growing tensions over free expression in the US, with many in Hollywood voicing alarm over what they see as increasing censorship and political pressure.
