Actor Tom Selleck's recent comments characterizing President Donald Trump as a "mixed bag" have drawn criticism from individuals who felt he was being evasive or making a weak statement.
During an interview with CNN's Elex Michaelson, Selleck, known for his roles in "Magnum, P.I." and "Blue Bloods," was asked about his feelings regarding Trump and his actions as president. Selleck, who has historically maintained a distance from current political discourse, stated, "Well, he's certainly a mixed bag. I stay out of the current political world. Why piss off half the country when you're in the business of entertaining people?"
These remarks, made by the 81-year-old actor, quickly led to a divided reaction online. Some interpreted his statement as an indirect admission of support for Trump, with one user on X (formerly Twitter) claiming, "Lol, that’s what people say when they don’t want to admit they voted for Trump. He’s maga."
Others criticized Selleck for attempting to avoid political engagement altogether. One commenter argued, "Politics doesn't stay out of you. It affects you and the ones you love everyday. Staying out of politics isn't an option if you really care about people."
Selleck's past associations, including a close relationship with former President Ronald Reagan and a former board membership with the NRA, have often led to assumptions about his conservative leanings. However, his specific stance on Trump has remained less clear.
This situation echoes a similar instance in 2016, where praise for Trump and criticism of his opponents were falsely attributed to Selleck, with the actual comments originating from actor Jon Voight. The recent comments, however, are Selleck's own words regarding the current political climate.