Los Angeles is burning, and it’s not from the usual glitz and glamour of Hollywood but the fiery tension of protests and militarized crackdowns, which many claim are a way for Donald Trump to flex his authority. When the president deployed National Guard and Marines to the protesters against aggressive ICE raids, the backlash was immediate.
Some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including talk show hosts, have criticized Trump’s actions. But he seems unbothered by it and is set to have a parade amidst all this chaos. So, let’s have a closer look at the LA Riots, the parade, and the backlash from our entertainment industry.
Donald Trump’s military parade and the LA Riots
The streets of Los Angeles became a battleground after Donald Trump ordered a sweeping crackdown on immigrant communities. This action led to mass protests and clashes with the law enforcement of the city. But instead of de-escalating the matter, Trump doubled down and sent armed forces, a move which many feel is against the law and unnecessary.
The situation escalated rapidly as protestors had to endure tear gas and rubber bullets while Trump defended his actions (via Reuters). He positioned himself as a savior and claimed that the city would be in more distress if he had not intervened. The situation became increasingly jarring as military forces confronted the civilians of a city who were already on edge.
Meanwhile, Trump is looking forward to his long-desired military parade, a spectacle that was originally meant to honor the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, but now it is entwined with chaos (via Time). Critics have accused the president of using this event as a personal project to show off his power with tanks rolling through Washington on his birthday.
The timing of this event could not have been worse. Now that protestors are raging in LA, Trump has warned that any unwanted actions or disagreements during his parade would be met with “very big force,” and such statements are already drawing criticism from veterans and activists alike, who possibly saw his remarks as authoritarian or insensitive.
Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, and Hollywood react to the LA riots
Most of Hollywood has always been critical of Donald Trump and his politics. Stephen Colbert, known for his satirical comedy, joked that the president’s crackdown was revenge for his Home Alone 2 Oscar snub (via The Daily Beast). On the other hand, Jimmy Kimmel’s approach was far more direct.
He expressed his anger over the immigrant crackdown and stated that protesting was their right (via New York Post). According to Kimmel, sending armed forces wasn’t required and was only a way for Trump to flex his power. He also accused the POTUS of wanting conflict and escalating the situation, and claimed that he never summoned the troops during the LA fires.
Celebrities like Mark Ruffalo and Ava DuVernay have also spoken against the militarized response (via The Guardian). Meanwhile, rapper Doechi slammed Trump’s tactics during her speech at the BET Awards. The whole of Hollywood sees this as an unprovoked overreach, and they aren’t staying silent.
Trump’s military parade and LA crackdown are two deeply polarizing events in America. His supporters believe that it’s a show of strength, while the critics think it’s a dangerous slide towards authoritarianism. As known voices continue to oppose the president, it’s clear that the battle isn’t about immigration or protests, but the soul of the country.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
