RantCrush Top 5: June 23, 2017

Johnny Depp is the most recent celebrity to receive criticism after joking about assassinating the president. At the Glastonbury arts festival in England last night Depp asked: “Can you bring Trump here?” He added, “When was the last time an actor assassinated a president? I want to clarify: I’m not an actor. I lie for a living. However, it’s been a while, and maybe it’s time.” Many people drew parallels to the actor John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. Although it was very clear that Depp did not make an actual threat, there’s now talk from some Trump supporters about boycotting his films.

Johnny Depp I was a HUGE fan…but calling for the assassination of Pres Trump makes me want to boycott your movies!

— Funkytown (@hotfunkytown) June 23, 2017

Others said it was clearly just a speculation by an actor at an arts festival, and that Depp is exercising his First Amendment right to free speech.

If you’re outraged about Johnny Depp, I hope you are also outraged about Trump supporter Ted Nugent. pic.twitter.com/Qlx1zF9gJq

— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) June 23, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.