Robert Davi Speaks Out: Hollywood'S Blacklist Over Trump Support Lingers

Robert Davi's Hollywood Blacklist Claims

Robert Davi, known for his roles in classics like "Die Hard" and "The Goonies," has once again spoken out about feeling blacklisted in Hollywood. The reason? His vocal support for former President Donald Trump, which he says has shadowed his career since 2015. "It’s still ongoing, but it might be lightening up, I think," Davi shared on Raymond Arroyo's "Arroyo Grande" podcast. He noted that the nature of Hollywood's inner workings makes it hard to pinpoint exactly where the resistance comes from, but he feels certain elements of the industry are still holding back opportunities.

“I don’t know, and it’s among certain elements of the industry. In other words, you’ll never know exactly where the button gets pushed.”

The Invisible Toll of Political Leanings

Davi highlighted the frustration of losing potential roles without clear reasons, suspecting his political views might be the cause. His manager often tells him about possible projects that mysteriously fall through. "I suspect it goes up the flagpole to somebody and then, all of a sudden, it gets wiped out," he explained. Despite this, Davi admits there's no way to measure how many opportunities have slipped away due to his political stance, acknowledging that some offers might never even reach his ears.

Pressure to Conform

Interestingly, Davi revealed that back in 2016, he was approached twice by executives who suggested he endorse liberal candidates in exchange for career benefits. His response was a firm "Why would I do that?" He remains an outspoken conservative and often voices frustration over "closeted" conservatives in the industry. "If they — and there’s some powerful ones — if they had the courage to come forward, it would help many others," Davi stated.

Standing Firm Amidst Criticism

Despite the backlash, Davi stands by his beliefs. He often meets fans who express gratitude for his candidness on social media. Still, he encounters those disappointed by his political views, to which he responds by separating his work from his personal beliefs. "As opposite ends of the spectrum as I am to Robert De Niro, I’ll go see a film that he’s in," he said, illustrating his ability to appreciate art regardless of differing politics. He humorously recalled watching De Niro’s film "Everybody’s Fine" with his family, finding it to have a "terrific message," and jokingly thought, "I forgive him."