Hollywood star Josh Brolin recently made headlines as he revisited his unexpected friendship with former US President Donald Trump during a candid interview. The Avengers actor revealed fascinating details about their relationship that spanned years before Trump entered the White House.
The Unlikely Friendship Begins
Josh Brolin and Donald Trump's friendship dates back to 2010, beginning under unusual circumstances. The two first crossed paths when Brolin was working on Oliver Stone's film Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. Interestingly, Trump actually filmed a scene for the movie, though it never made the final cut.
The actor provided more context about their initial meeting during an appearance on In Depth With Graham Bensinger. Brolin explained that their friendship properly began after a dinner gathering in New York that included Shia LaBeouf and Melania Trump. This 2010 encounter marked the start of their unusual bond between Hollywood and real estate royalty.
Brolin's Candid Trump Assessment
In his recent conversation with The Independent, Brolin didn't hold back his thoughts about the former president. "I'm not scared of Trump, because even though he says he's staying forever, it's just not going to happen," the actor stated confidently. He added, "And if it does, then I'll deal with that moment. But having been a friend of Trump before he was president, I know a different guy."
Despite their current distance, Brolin acknowledged Trump's unique talents, particularly calling him "a marketing genius." The actor elaborated on this perspective, noting that "There is no greater genius than [Trump] in marketing. He takes the weakness of the general population and fills it. And that's why I think a lot of people feel that they have a mascot in him."
The Friendship's Evolution and End
The relationship between the actor and the businessman-turned-politician wasn't always strained. Back in May 2012, Donald Trump had mentioned Brolin as "a friend of mine" in a post on X (formerly Twitter), where he also praised the actor's "terrific" performance in Men in Black 3.
However, by 2024, Brolin confirmed to Graham Bensinger that he and Trump were no longer friends. The deterioration of their relationship became apparent over time. During a 2018 appearance on The Late Show, Brolin shared that he "used to take pride" in knowing Trump.
The divide widened significantly in subsequent years. Brolin took to Instagram a couple of years later to express stronger views, writing that he "refuse[s] to believe that Donald Trump is our core version of American masculinity." He also made the serious allegation that Trump had "lied over 50,000 documented times."
Brolin's Current Projects
Meanwhile, Josh Brolin continues to advance his acting career. He was most recently seen in Wake Up Dead Man, the third installment of the popular Knives Out series. In this Netflix production, Brolin plays the role of a church priest. The film is scheduled to make its debut on the streaming platform this December, marking another significant role for the versatile actor.
The evolution of Brolin and Trump's relationship serves as a fascinating case study of how personal connections can transform amid political landscapes, showing that even Hollywood friendships aren't immune to the pressures of political divisiveness.
