Brian Grazer, a renowned producer in Hollywood and previously known for his affinity with the Democratic party, found himself unduly ostracized by his industry peers due to his decision to vote for Donald Trump in the 2024 Presidential election. His unforeseen choice left him feeling ‘cancelled,’ a term increasingly employed to describe the repercussions of going against the popular grain of thought in modern culture. Describing himself as a ‘centrist,’ Grazer reflected on the unwarranted reaction on a fresh docuseries, Art of the Surge, that chronicled Trump’s comeback to the White House.
In one of the startling scenes in the docuseries, Grazer was seen in the company of the then President-elect, Donald Trump, during the Army-Navy game in a VIP box. What followed stirred up surprise as the producer took the liberty to capture a picture with Trump and later confessed, to a shocked group of females in the box, his decision to vote Republican. This unexpected revelation led to them questioning his decision to not vote for Kamala Harris, to which he could only muster a simple, ‘I just can’t do that.’
Probing him further, one of them asked Grazer if he was really casting his vote for Trump. His affirmation, ‘I am. I swear!’ subtly underscored the secrecy, surprise, and sense of guilt that surrounds the choice of anyone supporting the unpopular side. As part of the docuseries, Grazer openly shared how the reactions to his political decision made him feel ‘cancelled.’ This imposes a question on the freedom of personal political choice and the risk of social isolation it may trigger.
Attempting to rationalize his support for Trump, Grazer shared, ‘As a centrist, it was because I could feel and see Biden’s deterioration and the lack of direction in the Democratic Party at that time.’ This clear expression of disdain for Biden signaled a shift in his political allegiance and gave credence to his depicted disillusionment with the Democratic Party. Even a personality who once fundraised for the Democrats now believed that the party had lost its way, questioning the competence of its leadership.
Before this dramatic shift, Grazer had backed Kamala Harris and other Democrats financially, raising an ironic contrast with his present stance. However, following the emergence of his confession, followers shared varied reactions. A section empathized with his thought process, while others were quick to point out that dissatisfaction with the Democratic party did not necessitate support for the Republicans. Some emphasized that other political choices were in the mix, subtly hinting at the tendency to resort to binaries during electoral decision-making.
A set of comments raised the question of political association with economic privilege, with one stating: ‘He knew that as a rich person he’d be safe whichever party won. Not everyone has that privilege.’ A sentiment echoed across these testimonials was the perception surrounding centrism. One commentator expressed the common reflection: ‘Every centrist is just a Republican that is ashamed to admit it.’
Another queried the shifting connotations of ‘centrism’ across geographical contexts, questioning if its meaning in the U.S. enables a liberal to comfortably support far-right agendas, contrastingly, in the U.K., the term is associated with liberalism and people under such definition would hardly lean toward conservatism. This pointed critique presses on the fluid meanings of ‘centrism’ in the political discourse.
Contrary to popular belief, Grazer isn’t alone in Hollywood in his support for Donald Trump. Noteworthy celebrities, including actor Mel Gibson, TV host Dr. Phil, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, and actress Victoria Jackson, have also voiced their preferences for the controversial president. This subtly underscores that despite Hollywood’s apparent liberal allure, there exists a hidden layer of conservatives or centrists willing to go against the tide.