In February 2026, a video resurfaced on social media showing actor Woody Harrelson criticizing then-President Donald Trump. The clip, originally recorded in 2017 at a film premiere, features Harrelson expressing strong disapproval of Trump’s presidency. This resurgence led many viewers to believe the comments were recent, sparking renewed discussion online.
The footage was filmed on October 25, 2017, during the premiere of LBJ, a biopic about former President Lyndon B. Johnson starring Harrelson. Despite the clear date on the original source, users shared the video without context, causing widespread misunderstanding about when the remarks were made.
How Woody Harrelson’s Criticism Was Shared Online
The remarks went viral mainly due to posts from notable progressive commentators and organizations. On February 17, 2026, Brian Tyler Cohen posted quotations from Harrelson’s interview on Facebook without including the recording date. Similarly, media figures from NowThis Impact and Occupy Democrats distribution networks amplified the clip and quotes, labeling the comments as breaking news.
These posts, which collectively gained millions of views, did not mention the original 2017 timing, leading many users to assume the criticism was current. Comments beneath the viral posts reflected this belief, with thousands reacting as if Harrelson had recently spoken out against Trump.
Details of Woody Harrelson’s Statements in 2017
The original video hosted on The Associated Press’ YouTube channel included a description specifying the date and event. In it, Harrelson said:
“We have a guy running this country who has unearthed a lot of bigotry and a lot of racism, and it seems to be more virulent than ever. So, yeah, it’s strange how we just, it seems like we’re going backward. And yeah, I wish that there were a way to, I wish there were a way to get rid of that son of a b**** and get in a great president, you know, but it doesn’t seem like that’s going to happen. And I don’t know how much he’s going to continue to foment hatred.”
This comment was made in the context of the political climate early in Trump’s first term. Harrelson linked the rise in racial and bigoted tensions to the president’s influence, expressing frustration with the direction the country was taking.
Harrelson’s Past Interactions With Donald Trump
Beyond his 2017 criticism, Woody Harrelson has shared personal experiences with Trump. In a 2019 Esquire article, Harrelson described attending a dinner with Trump in 2002, which he characterized as “brutal.” According to Harrelson:
“It got so bad I had to go outside and burn one before returning to the monologue monopoly. Listen, I came up through Hollywood, so I’ve seen narcissists. This guy was beyond. It blew my mind.”
Harrelson also reflected on his time at Hanover College in Indiana, where he encountered former Vice President Mike Pence, Trump’s running mate and vice president during his first term. Harrelson recalled:
“As a freshman, I gave a sermon to a youth group, and Mike was the guy running the show. He was a junior, I think. … He struck me as a nice guy, very sincere. I don’t know how well we’d get along now, but we got along okay then.”
Why This Matters and What to Watch For
The viral spread of Woody Harrelson Trump criticism illustrates how older footage can be taken out of temporal context, misleading audiences about an actor’s current views or the status of political discourse. Such incidents highlight the importance of verifying dates and sources before accepting viral claims as new.
As the 2026 presidential campaign season heats up, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. among the candidates reportedly endorsed by Harrelson in recent times, attention to political statements by celebrities is likely to remain high. The resurfacing of old videos may continue to shape public narratives around figures like Harrelson and Trump unless social media users and platforms prioritize contextual accuracy.
Woody Harrelson on Trump – "I wish there was a way to get rid of this son of a b*tch" pic.twitter.com/sEDJqtLC69
— Ounka (@OunkaOnX) February 18, 2026
Woody Harrelson, "We have a guy running this country who has unearthed a lot of bigotry, a lot of racism"
"And it seems to be more virulent than ever"
"It seems like we're going backwards"
"I wish there was a way to get rid of that son of a b*tch and get in a great president"… pic.twitter.com/ZlOrpC8bYB
— Farrukh (@implausibleblog) February 16, 2026
