Stewart’s comments came in response to Donald Trump’s proposal to slap tariffs on movies produced outside the United States.
WASHINGTON, DC: Amid ongoing backlash directed at the Trump administration, a viral rumor recently made the rounds on social media, alleging that actress Kristen Stewart claimed President Donald Trump’s policies are driving her out of the country. While the supposed quote immediately sparked heated debates online, it also generated a strong demand for fact-checking.
The Claim: Kristen Stewart states Trump’s policies are driving her out of America
According to widely shared posts on X, Stewart supposedly declared, “Trump’s policies are basically forcing me to leave America.”
This narrative quickly crossed over to Facebook and Instagram, racking up hundreds of thousands of views collectively.
Social media users reacted with a mixture of opinions. While some fans of the ‘Twilight’ star expressed support for her alleged sentiment, others heavily criticized her for speaking out against the president. Meanwhile, a cautious group of netizens questioned the legitimacy of the quote entirely, demanding proof and setting off the need for a closer look.
Fact Check: Did Kristen Stewart really talk about leaving Trump’s America?
Although the exact viral quote circulating online is inaccurate, Stewart *did* previously voice concerns about her future in the US under a Trump presidency.
Earlier this year, while promoting her directorial debut, ‘The Chronology of Water’, the actress discussed the difficulties she faces within the current American political landscape, admitting she “probably won’t stay in the US.”
In an interview with The Times of London, she elaborated on her perspective, stating, “Reality is breaking completely under Trump. But we should take a page out of his book and create the reality we want to live in.”
When specifically asked if she intended to remain in America under Trump’s leadership, she replied, “Probably not. I can’t work freely there. But I don’t want to give up completely. I’d like to make movies in Europe and then shove them down the throat of the American people.”
The Backdrop: Donald Trump’s Hollywood Tariff Threat
Stewart’s frustrations were directly tied to Trump’s announcement regarding potential tariffs on foreign-produced films. Taking to Truth Social, Trump argued that the domestic entertainment industry was suffering, writing, “Our movie-making business has been stolen from the United States of America, by other Countries, just like stealing ‘candy from a baby.’”
He added, “California, with its weak and incompetent Governor, has been particularly hard hit!”
Asserting that drastic measures were required to fix the issue, Trump concluded, “Therefore, in order to solve this long-time, never-ending problem, I will be imposing a 100% Tariff on any and all movies that are made outside of the United States.”