Hollywood led the way during the MeToo revolution. The industry had little choice.
Producer Harvey Weinstein’s downfall happened deep within the bowels of Tinsel Town. It made sense that the stars would leverage the moment to protect women everywhere.
And good for them. Except they didn’t always mean it.
Sure, celebrities raged against President Donald Trump, citing accusations from numerous women that he sexually assaulted them. They marched on Washington, wearing hats with names that can’t be shared here. They even helped form a new organization empowered to defend women from the next Harvey Weinstein.
Yet when former Biden aide Tara Reade shared credible allegations that the future president sexually attacked her, the industry stood down.
The “believe all women” mantra, shouted from the highest Hollywood rooftops, suddenly came with a bright red asterisk.
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The stars also looked away over similar allegations lobbed against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Virginia’s Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax.
Why? They were Democrats.
Celebrities didn’t believe the women accusing these Democrats of atrocious behavior. Or, if they did, they didn’t say a peep about their cause.
No social media hashtags. No fiery speeches demanding justice regardless of party affiliation.
That hypocrisy crushed MeToo.
The Time’s Up organization, formed with the support of A-list actors, subsequently collapsed. So did Hollywood’s moral authority on the subject, particularly after so many MeToo activists ignored Hamas’ rapes during the Oct. 7 terrorist attack that killed 1,200 people.
And it just got worse.
Donald Trump Movie ‘The Apprentice’ Ignites Controversy in Cannes Over Rape Scenehttps://t.co/BofqARxeIL
— Variety (@Variety) May 20, 2024
The new Trump hit piece, “The Apprentice,” features a scene where the future president rapes wife Ivana Trump. The film, screened earlier this week at the Cannes Film Festival, caused the expected ruckus.
Team Trump is threatening to sue the filmmakers for what it calls misinformation.
One example? Trump’s ex-wife, who passed in 2022, has repeatedly denied said rape ever happened.
“I have recently read some comments attributed to me from nearly 30 years ago at a time of very high tension during my divorce from Donald. The story is totally without merit,” Ivana said in a statement to CNN. “Donald and I are the best of friends and together have raised three children that we love and are very proud of. I have nothing but fondness for Donald and wish him the best of luck on his campaign. Incidentally, I think he would make an incredible president.”
She said it didn’t happen. Hollywood, in the form of “The Apprentice,” doesn’t believe her. They want it to be true, so the filmmakers behind the project made sure it made the final cut.
Lawyers may make the final call there. The film doesn’t have a U.S. distributor yet, but it’s clear the creative team wants it to hit theaters before Election Day.
One thing remains clear. Reade will never see her story on the big screen.
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