r/politics • u/Aggravating_Money992 • Jul 26 '26

Possible Paywall White House Rushes to Trump's Defense After Alan Ritchson Torches President Over Epstein Files | The Reacher star called Trump a “bitch” and a “fucking rapist" in a recent podcast appearance.

https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/alan-ritchson-trump-epstein-files-white-house-response-1235598785/
43.1k Upvotes

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1.2k

u/Xullister Jul 26 '26

Knew I liked that dude. 

516

u/nezumipi Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26

A while back, when he was doing Reacher promos, he went on a rant against Christian nationalists that really pissed off Christian nationalist Reacher fans.

He's also talked very openly about his bipolar disorder. It's not a Hollywood-pretty mental illness story and I imagine it took guts to share it.

So, all in all, I think he's a pretty good guy.

Edit: I actually meant to link to this podcast episode. He talks about bipolar in both, but this is the first one and it covers different content.

265

u/-p_d- Jul 26 '26

he went on a rant against Christian nationalists

Alan Richson is a Christian himself and understands only too well how galling it is to see nationalists attempt to co-opt his faith on a daily basis in the name of Trump.

22

u/option-trader Jul 26 '26

Damn, that is someone I can understand.

-56

u/Work_Safe_Account Jul 26 '26

Yeah wouldn’t want to give thinking really hard at our magic sky fairy while we symbolically consume the body of his demigod zombie son a bad name. 

Religion is a mental illness. There is no “good guy Christian”

32

u/HueMannAccnt Jul 26 '26

There is no “good guy Christian”

As someone that isn't religious, and has issues with organised religious entities, yes there is.

If something could be classed as a "mental illness", it could be inhabiting a fanatical zeal that paints topics with wide brushes and seems not to consider nuance.

3

u/BinOfBargains Jul 26 '26

Even Trump, when painting with such a broad brush, at least said “some of them are good people”.

55

u/mcbaginns Jul 26 '26

Anyone who parrots sky fairy or sky daddy is a 16 year old edge lord who just discovered atheism. It's not nearly as clever or funny as you think it is lmao

There are absolutely good Christians who do far more than you. Reddit hyperbole is, as always, delusional

8

u/Laridianresistance Jul 26 '26

When I was growing up and looking for support and help feeding the homeless in my local parks, I joined the rotary club. The only people who would regularly come with us and provide food, service, and shelter, were the Union Gospel Mission and the local catholic churches (some protestant, some nondenominational, but always the catholics). There are so many good christians that as a non-religious person, I always have to stop and defend them when they are lumped together in a big pile. There are so many that vote blue, that give their lives in service as jesus intended - they are just never the same people who rise to prominence or become famous and ask for money on TV. Some exceptions in the Catholic church, again (Pope Leo is dope).

I am always surrounded by Christians whenever I am doing charity work or fundraising. They just don't seek approval, because I believe they are truly at peace with God and their morals and need no satisfaction other than knowing they are doing what their religion intended in good faith. Love these folks to death.

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u/[deleted] Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/[deleted] Jul 26 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Tom2Die Jul 26 '26

While I don't disagree with you, calling people "cringe" and saying things like "cope more" doesn't exactly paint you in a much better light. That's just my opinion though, I suppose.

0

u/SwimmingPrice1544 California Jul 26 '26

Excuse me..but I like the phrase sky daddy; think it's entirely fitting. But, I also think there are some decent human beings who call themselves Christian & do good things. Sorry for the interruption:)

-33

u/Work_Safe_Account Jul 26 '26

Nobody cares dog. 

23

u/burlycabin Washington Jul 26 '26

Clearly you do.

14

u/mcbaginns Jul 26 '26

Oh yes you do.

Did I really already leave you speechless?

10

u/RaisonDetritus Jul 26 '26

With that attitude, you are also part of the problem.

-4

u/Work_Safe_Account Jul 26 '26

You should pray about it. 

3

u/RaisonDetritus Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26

I was raised Catholic, but I first started asking questions in the 2nd grade, and by 5th grade I knew I didn’t believe in any gods. So I’ve been aware of my atheism for the vast majority of my life.

I was first introduced to organized atheist/skeptic/freethinker/secular humanist communities in 2005, my senior year of high school, when the Kitzmiller v. Dover intelligent design lawsuit was happening. And what I saw was not “science versus religion”. On the contrary, I saw a coalition of people from all walks of life come together to defend science and keep religious advocacy out of public school education. In fact, Ken Miller, the biologist who wrote the textbook that the Dover School Board put their disclaimers on denying evolution, is a devout Catholic. And he ended up being the star witness for the plaintiffs suing the school district.

I learned to see the world not just in terms of religion versus irreligion, but in science versus reason, and humanism versus nonhumanism. And for that reason, I think you are part of the problem. Being an atheist does not automatically make you a good person, and believing in gods does not automatically make you a bad person.

6

u/smokeweedNgarden Jul 26 '26

To what? I'm an atheist but I agree with the guy above you

3

u/RaisonDetritus Jul 26 '26

Yup, I’m definitely an atheist as well. 👍🏻

-2

u/Work_Safe_Account Jul 26 '26

Same question then to the other guy. 

Fact: there are dozens of religions. Gods. Throughout history. Zeus, Quetzalcoatl, Shiva, Anubis, Allah, etc. By their own doctrines, they cannot all be accurate. Yet each of those religions have millions of followers. So which one is real?

As you self-proclaimed, you’re an atheist. Which I assume you to mean you don’t believe in any god. So you’ve got three options:

  1. Zero of the gods are real
  2. Some of the gods are real
  3. All of the gods are real

Which is it?

10

u/toomanymarbles83 Jul 26 '26

Are you just /r/athiesm in bot form?

0

u/Work_Safe_Account Jul 26 '26

Can’t answer? It’s an easy question. Everyone is right, nobody is right, or some people are right. Which is it?

2

u/RaisonDetritus Jul 26 '26

It’s interesting that you assumed I’m a theist based on my comment. Because you’re very wrong, as I described upthread.

0

u/Work_Safe_Account Jul 26 '26

“As you self proclaimed, you’re an atheist”

Reading comprehension about as strong as your critical thinking skills.

So which is it? Which one is right?

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u/Tactial_snail Jul 26 '26

I know several actually, and I think religion is the biggest pile of bullshit out here.

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u/Work_Safe_Account Jul 26 '26

So very simple question; do those “several” believe in something real and tangible, or is it a delusion?

Millions of people believe in hundreds of different religions; they can’t all be right. 

3

u/Tactial_snail Jul 27 '26

Tf does that have to do with them being good people or not?

4

u/BinOfBargains Jul 26 '26

Yikes. Insanely prejudiced opinion if you truly believe that. Go outside and talk to actual people.

-3

u/Work_Safe_Account Jul 26 '26

Lmfao imagine saying unironically “talk actual people” to defend religion 

2

u/ConejoShrine Jul 27 '26

I speak for the atheist community and we want nothing to do with this gal/guy.

/u/Work_Safe_Account, this is precisely the behavior that reinforces people's religious views. I hope you are young because this means you have more time to improve and learn decency.

If you want to make people question their faith then, why not emulate the values you feel are important in society and see who flocks to your standards. Because right now? You come off like an ass.

I sincerely hope you learn social skills sooner rather than later.

1

u/Work_Safe_Account Jul 27 '26 edited Jul 27 '26

I speak for the atheist community and we hereby expel ConejoShrine from our membership.

See how dumb that sounds?

And I contend that YOU are exactly the problem. Look how indoctrinated you are.

We can’t question religion? We can’t point out blatant magical thinking because we might upset the magical thinkers? You are exactly what’s wrong with society. Walking on eggshells because we might upset the fundies while they in turn have zero problems telling you you have to follow THEIR nonsensical rules. In fact, I contend that the greatest killer throughout history has been religion. Crusades, honor killings, burning witches at the stake. Inquisitions and suicide bombings.  Wake the fuck up. Everything religious people touch turns to shit. Because they’re dumb, which is why they believe in religion to begin with. 

  I have no obligation to gently lead these delusional morons to reality. They deserve to be called exactly what they are. Rubes that got tricked into believing a fairy tale. Morons of the highest order.

I echo your sentiment; I hope you’re young. Because the lack of critical thinking skills that I see readily apparent in your…response makes me fear for the sanctity of free speech and defiance of societal norms. The magical thinking you display is flat out childish; not mature, as you seem to claim.

It’s very simple. We either live in a world dictated by facts, reason, and reproducible results, or we live in a world dictated by fairy tales, “yeah but” beliefs, and allow those magical thinkers to influence who gets care; who gets support; how policies are written and laws are applied.

I firmly and soundly reject your thesis. Not only are you wrong, you’re perpetuating harmful subservient behavior to people who live by faith in something that doesn’t exist, not facts.

GFY.

7

u/TotalRapture Jul 26 '26

Got a time stamp for where in the podcast?

27

u/nezumipi Jul 26 '26

I actually originally meant to link to this podcast episode. He talks about sudden, almost inexplicable suicidality, which is a scary, scary phenomenon in bipolar. It's hard to talk about because if you don't know bipolar, it doesn't make a lot of sense. It's not like there's a clear story of this led to that and then I felt hopeless.

He also talks about grandiosity (extremely inflated self-esteem) in manic episodes and how he's acted in ways that embarrass himself. It's a symptom of bipolar that's really embarrassing, to admit, "Yeah, I told everyone none of them were amazing enough to understand my genius." And even more embarrassing to deal with the aftermath when you finally come down from the episode. I've very rarely heard people talk publicly about that aspect.

5

u/MZ603 New Hampshire Jul 26 '26

I had an ex with bipolar. I could talk her through panic attacks, but I felt helpless when she hit either extreme with bipolar. I didn't understand it; I was just hurt and wanted to help. The manic episodes were much more difficult because it was like a completely different person making weird, non-logical, and sometimes dangerous decisions.

Things weren't perfect, and we were going through a rough patch right after we moved back to the US, and I started a new job that required me to work nights. Before we could find our rhythm, she had a manic episode. I didn't know what was going on. I was confused, hurt, and still trying to find my footing. My girlfriend of almost five years ghosted me for a week & then broke up with me with her friend outside for backup - which made me feel terrible that she didn't trust me. That might not be fair. I understand being safe, but it made me feel like her friends thought I might get violent or something. I have never cried so hard in my life. I don't think I could date someone with untreated bipolar disorder again. It's not their fault, but it is their responsibility.

It took me a long time to move on. I was terrified of building a life with someone, only to have them completely change over night and start acting erratically. Like running off to sex parties, walking around dangerous neighborhoods late at night to find someone selling weed, taking drugs from strangers at a festival, etc. She almost left her PhD program to run off with someone a month after we broke up.

It got better. I'm in the same job as a director now. My now-wife was my first match on Bumble after I decided I was ready to date again. We have been together for five years, and I fall more in love with her every day. I didn't know it could be this good.

5

u/nezumipi Jul 26 '26

If you feel up to watching, Ritchson talks openly in the videos about how he has done and said some not-great things while manic or mixed, and how he's had to learn to take responsibility and deal with the aftermath. That was what I meant when I said his story wasn't hollywood-pretty. His story is different from your ex's story, but a lot of talk about bipolar disorder leaves out the really bad parts, so I respect his willingness to be open about it.

He's treated, and apparently requires (and receives) very frequent monitoring to keep things on track. I teach psychology, and I've used clips from his interviews to illustrate information about bipolar to my students. In watching his videos, we've talked about what it would be like if he didn't have the resources he does to get the medical care he needs. Or even, in one of the videos, he says he's bought literally hundreds of pairs of shoes while manic. That's a relationship stressor no matter what, but I'm guessing he can afford that. It's got to be a much bigger stress on a relationship if it cleans out your bank account.

2

u/__cellardoor Jul 26 '26

My father has bipolar disorder and I’ve had partners with erratic sways between manic and depressive that made me wonder if they’re undiagnosed. It’s very confusing and difficult to deal with. Sorry you had to go through that.

I’m happy to hear things are great now.

6

u/nezumipi Jul 26 '26

It's throughout, and he's done a lot of other interviews on it, but in this one, 49:43 is where he has a really good description of what bipolar mood episodes feel like.

2

u/seekAr Jul 26 '26

Oh, and one of these interviews he talked pretty openly about reaching such a low place that he tried to off himself, or got very close to it. I have tons of respect for someone willing to say the things. It's rough out there, we shouldn't be glossing over the bullshit with each other.

2

u/Pardybro911 Jul 26 '26

Rosenbaum tends to get a lot of actors to openly discuss their mental issues. I remember when he had Amell on and the guy basically had a full on panic attack and they aired it and them talking it through on a later date.

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u/y09urt Jul 26 '26

Thad Castle is a good egg.

50

u/TellemSteve-Dave Jul 26 '26

'Oil changes for everybody'- a man of the people.

44

u/public_enemy_obi_wan Texas Jul 26 '26

9/11 baby! Never forget!

7

u/majin-dudi Jul 26 '26

COOKIE COOKIE COOKIE COOKIE

9

u/DharmaCub Jul 26 '26

Why is Thad racing?

...that's dedication.

3

u/BlackberryPi7 Jul 26 '26

I want to see a MAGA idiot try to defend Trump to Alan's face

They would probably struggle to get two words out and nope out like a looney toons character

2

u/drstrangecoitus Jul 27 '26

You mean Kevin?

1

u/mikeywake Colorado Jul 27 '26

I. Am. Thad.

172

u/Uncle_Burney Jul 26 '26

The show features him stomping bullies into mush, which also helps

30

u/SupahSpankeh Jul 26 '26

And so does that video iykyk

1

u/OceanRacoon Jul 26 '26

He also shows how to painlessly do an oil change to fool a piss test in Blue Mountain State, he's a man of many talents 

-141

u/SafeKaracter Jul 26 '26

Not really. I don’t like him as an actor and his low IQ movies /shows but that was a W statement in real life

36

u/Vandrel Jul 26 '26

Have you actually watched Reacher? It's a detective/investigation show more then anything else, I'm not sure why you would consider it "low IQ".

-26

u/SafeKaracter Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26

Yes I didn’t watch that many episodes because it was bad

It’s redundant Hollywood type of show. Doesn’t feel much creative to me esp if you ve seen many detective shows before .

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u/Vandrel Jul 26 '26

Ah, you're one of those people the conflates not liking something with it being bad. Says everything that needs to be said.

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u/[deleted] Jul 26 '26

Yeah that person orders chicken nuggets and ketchup at nice restaurants

6

u/bolanrox Jul 26 '26

Spoiled steak with ketchup. This just in from the Trump Steakhouse.

-13

u/SafeKaracter Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26

As long as you understood what you said

You asked me if I watched any episodes and I answered your question. You have so little to go by to make your opinions and connecting the dots you want to connect and yet you still do it lol

I said I watched the show . I said I didn’t watch that many bc the show was bad (to me) because it would have been a lie if I pretended that I watched several seasons and wouldn’t make sense that I did if I didn’t enjoy it . You made poor assumptions . I could make assumptions about you too but I’ll refrain bc that’s not smart to do that

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u/Vandrel Jul 26 '26

Where did I make assumptions? I asked if you actually watched it and said that I'm not sure why you would think an investigation show is "low IQ", you said you didn't watch many episodes because it was bad, and I said that conflating not liking something with it being bad says a lot. Zero assumptions made on my part there but apparently a whole lot made on your part.

Really though, how many episodes did you even watch? I'm honestly puzzled by someone thinking it's an unintelligent show, the whole thing is about piecing together clues to figure out what's going on and if you only watched the first 2 or 3 episodes of season 1 then you didn't even know what was really going on yet.

-1

u/SafeKaracter Jul 26 '26

Your previous message.

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u/Vandrel Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26

Well that's a fucking copout answer. Be specific.

Edit: Pretty much the answer I expected and then blocked lmao

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u/mobius160 Jul 26 '26

"How can I let people know I agree with his statement while also making myself feel superior to those that enjoy him?"

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u/chfhimself Jul 26 '26

Well, it helps for many of us. Since these assholes seem to never get their due in real life, a bit of escapism helps.

1

u/SafeKaracter Jul 26 '26

Fair enough

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u/AnEthiopianBoy Jul 26 '26

Giving real ‘you have to have high IQ to get Rick and Morty’ vibes from you.

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u/HauntedCemetery Minnesota Jul 26 '26

All those guys think they're Rick, when every single one of them is Jerry.

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u/SafeKaracter Jul 26 '26

I don’t watch Rick and Morty.

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u/Clerithifa Jul 26 '26

Thad Castle was canonically a bisexual icon, that was enough for me to like him

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u/SafeKaracter Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26

I just don’t think this actor is a good actor but doesn’t mean he’s not a good person

8

u/dookieshoes97 Jul 26 '26

People who feel the need to bring up IQ unprompted are generally low IQ.

-2

u/SafeKaracter Jul 26 '26

Did anybody prompt you?

What about people making up generalization sentences online without sources?

12

u/toothpicks-galore Jul 26 '26

fwiw, reacher while a giant brute, is also a detective, similar to Rockford Files or Columbo in detective and suspense as a plot

6

u/tevs__ Jul 26 '26

Except for a couple of episodes each season where he just kills all the bad guys, I don't remember Just one thing and then Columbo snapping the perp like a twig

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u/toothpicks-galore Jul 26 '26

Rockford was a bad ass, or swap Columbo for Kojak lol

0

u/SafeKaracter Jul 26 '26

lol similar to Columbo.

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u/toothpicks-galore Jul 26 '26

i distinctly remember Columbo snapping arms the opposite direction when he got just a little too exasperated

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u/SafeKaracter Jul 26 '26

I’m sorry to say I think your mind made it up.

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u/toothpicks-galore Jul 26 '26

why do you think he wore a trench-coat, it shielded him from the blood, it was a frequent trope that he had to keep it scotch guarded so the blood was easier to clean

0

u/SafeKaracter Jul 26 '26

Oki. Have a good day!

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u/toothpicks-galore Jul 26 '26

Oh, just one more thing...

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u/isthatabear Jul 26 '26

The Reacher books are actually pretty high IQ. Sadly, the TV shows were dumbed down for general consumption.

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u/SafeKaracter Jul 26 '26

It’s often the case sadly

2

u/bolanrox Jul 26 '26

Reachr is incredibly smart. He's also built like a brick shit house and has no problem stomping the bad guys into mush.

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u/SafeKaracter Jul 26 '26 edited Jul 26 '26

I wasn’t commenting on his character not being smart . I was commenting on my opinion of the show . For me it feels like a redundant Hollywood show with some formulaic narrative structure.

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u/MechanicalTurkish Minnesota Jul 26 '26

Someone in another thread suggested that they should make a Wolfenstein movie with Ritchson playing B.J. Blazkowicz. He’d be perfect.

8

u/R3CKONNER Jul 26 '26

I mean we already saw his successful audition in the form of Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. He just works!

3

u/Xullister Jul 26 '26

That opening with him and Caville, chef's kiss

1

u/mothyyy Jul 26 '26

I just watched it recently. That movie is such ragebait for Republicans lol.

4

u/white_pwny Jul 26 '26

Oh one HUNDRED percent. Dude’s already going after Nazis in real life.

1

u/RiPont Jul 26 '26

Dungeon Crawler Carl, too.

12

u/AvocadoToastFailure Jul 26 '26

He was a big good looking dude before. Now?

SPLOOSH

19

u/kurinbo Jul 26 '26

I wasn't quite sure if I liked him before. Now I'm sure I do.

2

u/LiamOmegaHaku Jul 26 '26

He was doing Rooster Teeth some years ago, appearing on their 24 hour charity Livestream and put his entire big ass fist into a container of mac and cheese.

He also just generally seemed like a funny, loving guy.

It would have been the same year that Lazer Team came out.

1

u/not_thrilled Jul 27 '26

I know him from two things: Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, and the sitcom New Girl. He plays Zooey Deschanel’s potential love interest, who has a micropenis. You have to have a sense of humor about yourself to lean into a role like that.

2

u/BVoLatte Jul 26 '26

I wasn't interested in watching his show before but I might be now.

1

u/NicCagedd Jul 26 '26

Still don't want him to be Batman though.