Brett Ratner, the film director who was effectively cancelled in Hollywood after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, has re-emerged on Air Force One as a travelling companion of President Donald Trump. Ratner, who denies all accusations, is accompanying Trump to China for a summit with President Xi Jinping, a move critics see as typical of Trump’s provocative style.
Ratner was dropped by Warner Bros in 2017 following an LA Times investigation in which actress Olivia Munn alleged he masturbated in front of her on set in 2004. Ratner later identified himself as the director in question. His invitation to join the presidential delegation is consistent with Trump’s pattern of rehabilitating figures with tarnished reputations, such as Pete Hegseth and Robert F Kennedy Jr.
This is not Ratner’s first return to the public eye. Earlier this year, Amazon paid $40m (£30m) for his documentary Melania, which was widely considered a commercial failure. The film’s poor performance did little to deter the Trumps, according to observers.
Ratner’s presence on Air Force One is seen as a deliberate provocation by Trump, who enjoys upsetting cultural elites. The director is reportedly using the trip to scout locations in China for a potential Rush Hour 4, treating the presidential aircraft as a rideshare. There is no suggestion Ratner will meet the Chinese president.
The gesture echoes Trump’s past appointments of controversial figures, such as former wrestling executive Linda McMahon as education secretary, and the addition of convicted felon Charles Kushner as ambassador to France. Critics note that Trump’s inner circle often includes individuals who were on the brink of cancellation before being elevated.
While Ratner’s rehabilitation frustrates many, some point to the reverse phenomenon: figures like Rudy Giuliani saw their reputations decline after associating with Trump. The Ratner episode underscores Trump’s willingness to use his platform to troll his opponents.
