'Not good for the Jews': Onlookers gobsmacked as Mel Gibson becomes 'Hollywood ambassador'
Ambassadors are usually appointed to serve as representatives to strengthen relationships between their nation and other countries. Donald Trump has come up with the unique idea of appointing right-wing actors to be his "ambassadors to Hollywood."
Mel Gibson, Sylvester Stallone and Jon Voight will serve in the newly-created positions which Trump linked to a claim that Hollywood "has lost much business over the last four years to Foreign Countries."
One of the picks, in particular, triggered reaction.
Gibson was caught in a drunk-driving incident in 2006 in which he was recorded going off on a rant, blaming Jewish people "for all the wars in the world."
As one critic said on Blue Sky Friday, it made him a pariah in Hollywood — the area he is now representing.
Since the 2006 incident, he has continued working in lower-budget films, a mini-series and at least one film that earned 7.2 stars on IMDB in 2019. While he was once a high-billed leading man, his most successful work since the 2006 incident has been behind the camera, Rotten Tomatoes rankings show.
"Mel Gibson as Special Ambassador to Hollywood is like making Jared Fogle Special Ambassador to Candyland," joked criminal defense lawyer Ken White.
The Daily Show responded to the news saying, "Trump: Okay, day one, no bad ideas. What are your ideas to -- Mel Gibson: NO MORE JEWS."
The Bulwark's Sam Stein noted, "Mel Gibson, having a moment. Not good for the Jews."
"At last check Mel Gibson, one of Trump’s three new “Special Ambassadors to Hollywood,” was teasing conspiracy theories about the LA fires. One can guess which group he wants to blame," pointed out former Obama appointee Eric Columbus on Blue Sky.
Some who responded to journalist Aaron Rupar noted that other names, such as James Woods, Scott Baio, and Kevin Sorbo, were clearly being snubbed.
Former Hollywood executive Katie Whittemore called the announcement "f--king laughable. He is going to try and destroy everything we love."
MSNBC's Garrett Haake agreed, noting that these appointments, while made up indicate that Trump is aiming to reignite the culture war.
"Republicans: basketball players should shut up and dribble. Also Republicans: next up is our chief natural disaster correspondent Mel Gibson," said political commentator Brian Tayler Cohen after seeing Gibson on Fox News commenting on the California wildfires.