Top ‘Jeopardy’ champ Ken Jennings drew plenty of pushback for claiming no entertainers hold conservative views – despite plenty of Hollywood’s right-leaning artists complaining about the career consequences of speaking up.
“To all the conservatives who found out today that Tom Morello or Jim Gaffigan don’t share their politics: it’ll be easier to get this done all at once. NOBODY whose work you like shares your politics. You get Kelsey Grammer and that’s it,” Jennings tweeted to his 400,000-plus followers.
To all the conservatives who found out today that Tom Morello or Jim Gaffigan don’t share their politics: it’ll be easier to get this done all at once. NOBODY whose work you like shares your politics. You get Kelsey Grammer and that’s it.
— Ken Jennings (@KenJennings) June 10, 2020
Rage Against the Machine singer Morello earned headlines this week for pushing back against fans critical of his support for Black Lives Matter, and comedian Jim Gaffigan caused a stir with fans when he declared President Donald Trump a “monster” on Tuesday.
Expecting equal justice and being against police brutality is NOT “being political”. It’s called basic empathy. I’m sorry if my opinions on these things are “too radical” for a couple of you. Go in peace. Also Trump is a monster!
— Jim Gaffigan (@JimGaffigan) June 10, 2020
Jennings’ claim that all entertainers think along these lines was quickly torn apart on Twitter, where people educated the game show champ about years of allegations of political bias against right-leaning artists in Hollywood.
“This is definitely the kind of industry in which people who are conservatives would state so openly and not pretend to go with the flow out of the sheer terror of not toeing the line,” one user tweeted.
This is definitely the kind of industry in which people who are conservatives would state so openly and not pretend to go with the flow out of the sheer terror of not toeing the line. https://t.co/kiYABpRP77
— neontaster (@neontaster) June 10, 2020
“Or, none can talk about it in public because they will be dragged and ruined by the intolerant mob,” added National Review editor David Harsanyi.
I don't believe any conservatives were surprised that Tom Morello from Rage Against The Machine did not share their politics. https://t.co/g9hjwN5FA8
— phil that remains (@philthatremains) June 10, 2020
Thanks Jeff. Jennings thinks everyone should like what he likes because he knows ancient literature for 800.