A 2016 interview with Bill Murray has resurfaced and gone viral on social media platforms. Although the video itself is not particularly radical, Murray’s opinion of Donald Trump stands in sharp contrast to what most of his peers in the entertainment industry have expressed about the former president. However, it does not show the support for Trump that some are claiming it does.
Viral Bill Murray Clip Doesn’t Endorse Trump
In a 2016 interview with Arte Tracks, Bill Murray shared his thoughts on the presidential election and why Trump won. In the snippet being circulated on social media, he states:
“He’s just such a different character than anyone that has ever been a president of the United States, I think. And I think this is what this vote means. The country is dissatisfied with the way Washington has worked for the last couple of decades. They’re lazy and they are about inhibiting the other side. They’re not working about working together at all. It’s become such a national disgrace. A quiet national disgrace.”
From this clip, one might assume that Murray supports Trump. However, the full video makes it clear that he’s considering the election from a philosophical perspective.
“I don’t think anyone saw this one coming. This is really turning it upside down. And we’re gonna see if the process works, if democracy really works.
He’s just such a different character than anyone that has ever been a president of the United States, I think. The people who have the jobs of passing laws and really looking out for the country are actually going to have to answer. And I think this is what this vote means. The country is dissatisfied with the way Washington has worked for the last couple of decades. They’re lazy and they are about inhibiting the other side. They’re not working about working together at all.
It’s become such a national disgrace. A quiet national disgrace and now, all of a sudden, the people have spoken about it. I think it’s probably a good thing. Whether or not the legislature reacts or not, we’ll find out, ’cause we’ve never been here before. It’s kind of exciting because we’re gonna see what we’re made of.”
Murray is not supporting a particular party or candidate here. He is highlighting that Trump is a Washington outsider, and his surprise victory—many predicted Hillary Clinton would win—was due to public fatigue with career politicians. He expressed hope that Trump’s presence would cause a shake-up that would positively influence Congress.
Is Bill Murray a Republican, Democrat, or Independent?
Bill Murray hasn’t publicly stated whether he’s a Republican, Democrat, or Independent. He hasn’t endorsed a candidate for the 2024 presidential election, and his past actions make it difficult to determine his political leanings.
According to Fox News, in 2018, Murray praised Republican tax cuts on CNBC’s Squawk Box and criticized Democrats for using identity politics in their messaging.
However, he’s donated to several Democratic candidates in the past. He also endorsed Green Party candidate Ralph Nader’s presidential run in 2000. Additionally, Murray has participated in promotions for Obamacare and satirized Trump’s White House Chief Strategist, Steve Bannon, on Saturday Night Live.
While Bill Murray has shared his thoughts on various political topics over the years, it’s clear he doesn’t publicly align himself with a specific political ideology or party. His approach seems more focused on observing and critiquing the broader political system rather than endorsing any particular figure or agenda. This nuanced stance makes it difficult to place him within a traditional partisan framework, reflecting a more independent, philosophical perspective on U.S. politics.
