Richard Gere calls Trump a ‘thug’, says US in a ‘very dark place’
Actor warns of rising authoritarianism and the dangerous influence of ‘irresponsible’ billionaires during Spain’s Goya Awards
American actor Richard Gere called President Donald Trump a “bully” and a “thug” on Saturday during an awards ceremony in Spain, and said the United States was in a “very dark place”.
The 75-year-old, who received an International Goya Award at Spain’s top film honours, warned that authoritarianism is on the rise “everywhere”.
“We’re in a very dark place in America, where we have a bully, a thug, who’s the president of the United States. But it’s not just in the US, it’s everywhere,” he said. “Authoritarianism takes us all over.”
The Pretty Woman and American Gigolo actor was also highly critical of Trump during a press conference in Granada on Friday.
During Saturday’s gala, Spanish actor Antonio Banderas presented Gere with the honorary award for “his extraordinary contribution to the art of filmmaking” and his social commitment to various causes, including the plight of refugees and the homeless.
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During his speech, Gere warned of the “dark marriage” of power and money “like we’ve never seen before”.
