Hollywood star Josh Brolin has offered a rare personal perspective on former US President Donald Trump, drawing from a friendship that predates his political career. The actor made the comments while promoting his latest film, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.
From Set Friendship to Political Power
Brolin first met the future president in 2009 during the filming of Oliver Stone's Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. Brolin, who played stock trader Bretton James, revealed that Trump spent a day on set filming a cameo appearance. This scene was ultimately cut from the final film, but the encounter sparked an acquaintance.
"Having been a friend of Trump before he was president, I know a different guy," Brolin stated in an interview with The Independent. He contrasted that earlier persona with the figure who now wields what he describes as "power unmitigated, it's unregulated."
The 'Genius' of Marketing and Public Validation
The Avengers actor did not hold back in his analysis of Trump's public appeal, crediting him with unparalleled skill in one particular arena. "There is no greater genius than him in marketing," Brolin asserted.
He elaborated on this point, suggesting Trump's success stems from an acute understanding of the public psyche. "He takes the weakness of the general population and fills it," Brolin said. He posited that for many supporters, Trump acts less as a traditional politician and more as a symbolic figure. "I think it's much less about Trump than it is about the general population and their need for validation."
Drawing Parallels with Fiction and Facing the Future
While promoting his role as a clergyman in the new Knives Out sequel, Brolin noted a thematic similarity between unchecked power in fiction and reality. He clarified his character is not based on Trump, but shared that a common thread exists: once someone "garners a sense of power, then there are no boundaries."
Despite the stark analysis, Brolin expressed a lack of personal fear regarding Trump's political future. "I'm not scared of him," he stated, adding, "Because even though he says he's staying for ever, it's just not going to happen. And if it does, then I'll deal with that moment."
The actor's candid reflections provide a unique glimpse into the personal evolution of a figure who continues to dominate global politics, viewed through the lens of a past personal connection.
