"Why do we act so shocked at celebrity racists?" — Internet divided over Mel Gibson saying Kamala Harris has IQ of a fence post
Actor Mel Gibson recently made a statement about voting for former US President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. The actor was at the Los Angeles airport on October 24, 2024, when a TMZ cameraman approached him, asking him about who he plans to vote for. Gibson responded, saying that it was "no surprise" that he would vote for Trump.
However, he also disparaged US Vice President and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, saying she had the "IQ of a fence post." The 68-year-old actor was asked what he thought Trump's second term would look like, and he responded to it by discussing what the US would look like if Harris became the president.
“I know what it’ll be like if we let her [Harris] in. And that ain’t good. Miserable track record. No policies to speak of. She’s got the IQ of a fence post,” he said.
Gibson's endorsement of Trump and mocking comments about Harris left netizens divided, and they took to social media to criticize his political stance. Some claimed that it was no surprise that the actor was a "racist," given his past instances of making racist comments.
"Why do we act so shocked at celebrity racists? Mel Gibson BEEN let us know who and what he was with his yelling the n-word on that phone call with his girlfriend. Let these racists be who and what they are. Hollywood is not liberal nor progressive like we think," one person tweeted.
An X user said that Mel Gibson had been showing people that he was racist when he yelled a racist slur during a call with his then-girlfriend. This was a statement that other netizens agreed with and called him a "racist weirdo," as some said that his endorsement of Trump wasn't surprising given his past.
"This is who Andrew Garfield been preaching to us about is a changed man?! Lol Mel Gibson still the racist weirdo he’s always been," one person tweeted.
"Where are all those Mel Gibson defenders again…" another person added.
"If Mel Gibson endorsed me I’d rethink every decision I’d ever made," someone else added.
"Mel Gibson thinking that she’s dumb and the guy who stared into a solar eclipse without glasses is smart isn’t shocking giving his past history," another netizen commented.
However, others lauded the actor for supporting Trump, calling him a "legend." They also claimed that the actor wasn't "wrong about Kamala's low IQ," as some said that he was one of the few actors in Hollywood "with integrity."
"Mel Gibson is a legend," one person wrote.
"Mel Gibson is THE MAN. He ain’t wrong about Kamala’s low IQ," another user added.
"He’s one of the very FEW left in Hollywood with integrity left. You go Mel!!! Americans will always have your back, you the man!" someone else tweeted.
"A celebrity with a brain and knows how to use it. Very rare," another person commented.
Mel Gibson did not publicly support Trump during his past campaigns
While Mel Gibson publicly endorsed Trump this election, he was not a vocal supporter of Trump during the 2016 and 2020 elections. However, he was spotted saluting the former president near a UFC match in 2021. Trump also appreciated the actor in a Truth Social post earlier this year, calling him great.
Known for his roles in Braveheart and the Mad Max films, Gibson's career declined after he was arrested for a DUI in 2006. His arrest resulted in him going on an antisemitic tirade against the police officer who arrested him.
In 2010, a leaked phone call between the actor and his then-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva saw the actor use racist slurs towards her. Oksana also accused him of domestic violence and issued a restraining order against him.
Gibson made his comeback when he directed the war drama Hacksaw Ridge, released in 2016. The movie, starring Andrew Garfield, was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Director.
In a recent interview with People Magazine, Garfield advocated for Gibson and argued that people deserved to be given "second chances, third chances, fourth chances." He added that he had learned that people can heal, change, and get help.
"I learned that everyone deserves respect. And that people deserve second chances, third chances, fourth chances. That none of us are infallible,” he said.
Mel Gibson is one of the many celebrities who have publicly endorsed Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. The former president's other celebrity endorsements include Elon Musk, Zachary Levi, Kanye West, and Dennis Quaid, among others.
Meanwhile, Taylor Swift, Eminem, Megan Thee Stallion, and George Clooney are among the many celebrities who have endorsed Kamala Harris. Beyoncé is expected to join Harris during her rally in the singer's hometown of Houston, Texas, on October 25.