Oscar-winning director Woody Allen heaped unexpected praise on President Donald Trump, calling the commander-in-chief a “very good actor” and “very easy to work with” — but he’s no “Trumper.”
Appearing on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast, Allen, 89, recalled working with Trump on his 1998 film Celebrity.
Allen revealed that on the set, Trump “hit his mark and did everything correctly and had a real flair for show business.”
As Allen praised Trump’s on-set demeanor, Maher warned: “If you think you were canceled before…”
“I could direct him now if he would let me,” Allen continued. “If he’d let me direct him now that he’s president, I think I could do wonders. But he was very easy to work with.”
Allen did, however, go on to say he doesn’t agree with “95 percent” — “maybe 99 percent” — of Trump’s agenda, admitting he voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
The filmmaker also said he was astonished that Trump went into politics when he had so much potential as an actor.
“He was very convincing and very, you know, he has a charismatic quality as an actor,” Allen said. “And I’m surprised he wanted to go into politics. Politics is nothing but headaches and critical decisions and agony. And this
Read the conversation here:
WOODY ALLEN: I’m not a Trumper. I’m one of the few people who can say he directed Trump. I directed Trump in a movie.BILL MAHER: No. Celebrity?ALLEN: In Celebrity. And he was, a pleasure to work with and a very good actor. He was very polite-MAHER: How dare you.ALLEN: And hit his mark and did everything correctly and had a real flair for show business-MAHER: If you think you were canceled before…ALLEN: I could direct him now if he would let me. If he’d let me direct him now that he’s president, I think I could do wonders. But he was very easy to work with…MAHER: He’s different in person. And when you say that, people who are just purely emotional, get very upset, even though it’s just the truth. We’re just saying the truth.ALLEN: Well, you know, I’m a Democrat. I voted for Kamala Harris.MAHER: Me too.ALLEN: And I take issue with him, you know, on 95
percent of the things. Maybe 99 percent. But as an actor, he was very good. He was very convincing and very, you know, he has a charismatic quality as an actor. And I’m surprised he wanted to go into politics. Politics is nothing but headaches and critical decisions and agony. And this was a guy I used to see at the Knick games, and he liked to play golf and he liked to judge beauty contests. And he liked to do things that were enjoyable and relaxing. Why anyone would want to suddenly have to deal with the issues of politics is beyond me. But apparently, he doesn’t mind.MAHER: But you don’t think going into politics is the ultimate acting job? I mean, that’s the whole point about him being so different off-stage. They got mad at me for saying this, is thats it’s an acting job. And they all do it to a degree, but he just took it – like everything with him – but to the Nth degree. It’s the ultimate acting job, being the prez.ALLEN: But that doesn’t bother me. They all have to put up a certain patina for the public and all that. I disagree with almost all, not all, but almost all of his politics or his policies. I can only judge what I know from directing him in film. And he was pleasant to work,and with very professional, very polite to everyone. Very, you know, as I say I would like to direct him now as president and have me make the decisions. But that’s not gonna happen.MAHER: I’ll make a call.
Allen has been plagued by allegations of sexual abuse and predatory behavior over the years. In 1992, his adopted daughter, Dylan Farrow, claimed he molested her, accusations that she’s resurfaced in a 2014 New York Times essay and a CBS This Morning interview in 2018.
Allen has denied the allegations against him.
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