Fans have criticized Sebastian Stan for his intense critique of Donald Trump during an interview at the Cannes Film Festival, with some labeling the Marvel actor as ‘out of touch’.
While promoting his latest movie, Fjord, the 43-year-old actor delved into the topic of the first year of Trump’s second term. The question, posed during the event, elicited nervous laughter from journalists present, according to Variety.
In a widely shared video clip, Stan expressed, “It’s just not a laughing matter, to be honest,” and emphasized, “I think we’re in a really, really bad place. I really do.”
Having portrayed Trump in the 2024 biopic, The Apprentice, Stan then expanded his remarks to address broader concerns about politics and media.
“Honestly, when you look at what’s happening now,” Stan continued, “there’s the issue of media consolidation, censorship, threats, and endless lawsuits that seem to go nowhere. The signs were there all along.”
He also reflected on the turbulent launch of The Apprentice, which debuted at Cannes in 2024 amidst significant controversy.
Sebastian Stan has been slammed by fans after launching into a fiery critique of Donald Trump during a Cannes Film Festival interview – with critics branding the Marvel star ‘out of touch’ and ‘elitist’
The actor, 43, was promoting his new film Fjord when he was asked about the first year of the president’s second term, a question that drew nervous laughter from reporters in the room
‘We encountered all that with [The Apprentice] to the point that we were, three days before the festival, unsure if the movie was going to play the festival.’
‘So, maybe, people are paying attention more to that film. I think it will stand the test of time for that,’ he said.
‘But, we went through all of it right before Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert and so on. So, I wish it wasn’t like that,’ he added.
Kimmel and Colbert have also faced criticism in recent years over remarks and jokes aimed at Donald Trump.
ABC, which broadcasts Kimmel’s show, suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! for five days in September 2025 following Kimmel’s comments after Charlie Kirk’s death.
Colbert’s show was later cancelled amid speculation the decision was politically motivated.
Stan’s comments quickly sparked an online reaction, with fans accusing the actor of being detached from reality and speaking from a Hollywood bubble.
One critic wrote, ‘Nobody cares what Hollywood thinks about politics! They are NOT the average American!’ while another added, ‘These idiots live in a bubble. No real Americans think this way.’
In a viral clip, he told Variety that it was ‘just not a laughing matter, to be honest’, adding that ‘I think we’re in a really, really bad place. I really do’
‘To be honest with you, when you’re looking at what’s happening, right now,’ Stan went on, ‘If we’re talking about the consolidation of the media, censorship, threats, the supposed lawsuits that seemingly never end but don’t actually go anywhere. You know, the writing was on the wall’
Another said, ‘These actors can’t help themselves destroy their careers over political post they piss off 1/2 the country.’
Others piled in, with one writing, ‘And they wonder why people don’t listen to Hollywood shills anymore. Full of BS.’
Another fumed, ‘Ahh yes. A multi millionaire telling people how this country is horrible… By the way please pay $18 ticket and see my movie.’
But others defended Stan, arguing his comments reflected broader systemic concerns rather than partisan politics.
‘It’s not Trump, it’s the entire super PAC system,’ one user wrote. ‘Stop getting distracted by Trump, he’s a symptom of something bigger…’
‘Wow, this might be the dumbest comment section I’ve ever seen,’ another added.
Stan, who earned a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination for playing Trump, previously described the role as ‘riding a psychotic horse through a blazing stable.’
His remarks also come after Colbert addressed whether he is worried about potential fallout with Trump as The Late Show gears up for its final episode.
The actor also revisited the rocky rollout of The Apprentice, which premiered at Cannes in 2024 after months of controversy
Stan’s comments quickly sparked an online reaction
Viewers were left reeling last July when the 62-year-old comedian announced that CBS/Paramount would not extend his contract, signaling the end of the long-running late-night show after more than four decades.
The network insisted the decision was ‘purely financial’, but the cancellation came just days after Colbert slammed CBS’ $16 million settlement with Trump as ‘a big fat bribe.’
The Emmy-winning host’s final show airs Thursday, amid lingering speculation that politics may have played a role, as Paramount was in the midst of a multibillion-dollar merger with Skydance that required FCC approval.
In a new interview with People, Colbert insisted he has ‘no fear’ of the current administration, adding: ‘I mean, how silly would it be? The ending of the show aside, which people can speculate about all they want, and I can’t argue with their speculations, but we’re clowns.
‘How much does it diminish the office of the Presidency to even notice what we say?’
