Angelina Jolie has said she no longer recognises the United States, warning that threats to free speech are “very dangerous”. 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 replied. “Anything anywhere that divides or limits personal expressions and freedoms from anyone, I think, is very dangerous.” She added: “These are such serious times that we have to be careful not to say things casually. These are very, very heavy times we are living in together.”
Jolie’s comments come days after ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely. The decision, made by Disney CEO Bob Iger and head of television Dana Walden, followed criticism from Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission, over Kimmel’s remarks about the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk.
Several Disney stars have voiced dissent. Pedro Pascal wrote on Instagram that he is “standing with” Kimmel, calling for free speech and democracy. Olivia Rodrigo said she was “so upset over this blatant censorship and abuse of power”. Mark Ruffalo warned that Disney’s stock would “go down a lot further if they cancel” the show, adding: “Disney does not want to be the ones that broke America.”
Tatiana Maslany urged followers to cancel their Disney+ subscriptions, while Damon Lindelof, creator of Lost, pledged not to work with Disney+ again unless Kimmel is reinstated. Dan Gilroy, an Emmy-winning writer for Andor, drew parallels between the show’s fascist takeover and Trump’s America, writing: “Donald Trump’s tools of governance, coercion and intimidation, have found focus on Hollywood.”
