Bryan Cranston has advice for Trump, courtesy of LBJ
Bryan Cranston has answered the eternal question: Just what would President Lyndon B. Johnson (our 36th) feel about President Donald J. Trump, our nation's 45th?
Johnson died in 1973. But Cranston would know, after reprising his Johnson role from the Broadway play All the Way in the HBO film, and then winning best actor in a TV movie at the SAG Awards on Sunday night.
"I’m often asked, how would Lyndon Johnson think about Donald Trump? And I honestly feel like 36 would put his arm around 45 and earnestly wish him success," Cranston said from the SAG Awards podium. "And (Johnson) would also whisper in (Trump's) ear, something he said often as a form of encouragement, but a cautionary tale, 'Just don't piss in the soup that all of us got to eat.' "
The comment got a big laugh from the crowd of actors and actresses watching.
Backstage, Cranston discussed the need for actors to take a stand on social issues. But he also maintained it was important to celebrate during difficult times — such as the days after outcry and controversy over Trump's executive order restricting refugees entering the country.
"I don’t feel it’s the wrong thing to do, to celebrate. It’s important to mark occasions," said Cranston.
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"There’s a lot of strife in the world and our country. But it’s important to embrace the good things we have as well, this collective of creative people coming together," Cranston added. "This is what artists do best. We take the anguish, anxiety and fear out there and put it back into work. And hopefully, the creative groundswell will lead to compassion and acceptance."
Cranston also defended the idea of Hollywood actors taking stands and expressing political positions, which many did Sunday evening.
"We were human beings and citizens before we ever become actors and artists," said Cranston. "If something is important to you, appears before you in a way to that feels like oppression, then it's up the citizenry to speak up. The best form of democracy is that we’re allowed to do that. We shouldn’t be afraid of that and embrace that."
