Iconic Star Wars actor Mark Hamill learned the hard way that when it comes to social media, it’s best to leave politics out of it.
The veteran actor, known for his role as Luke Skywalker in the original “Star Wars” trilogy, is facing backlash from his own followers after posting a cringe-worthy pro-Biden post on Instagram last month.
The post featured a picture of a shirt with the words “Nope… Not Again” and an image of former President Donald Trump’s hair replacing the O. Hamill’s caption read, “I voted for four more years of an Orange-free oval office,” accompanied by the “BidenHarris2024” hashtag.
However, instead of receiving a warm reception from his fans, Hamill was met with a barrage of pro-Trump comments. One user pointed out that Biden couldn’t even remember his own son’s death, while another suggested that the actor should keep his political views to himself in order to maintain a good relationship with his fan base.
Oh really 😂 pic.twitter.com/RuyNvKUtWk
— Claudia 🇺🇸 MEGA MAGA 🇺🇸 (@ClaudiaWaldsch1) April 22, 2024
This is not the first time Hamill has faced criticism for his political opinions. The actor has been an outspoken supporter of Biden, going so far as to proclaim him as “the best president we’ve ever had” just this week. He also took part in a virtual fundraiser for Biden during his 2020 campaign.
But it’s not just Biden that Hamill supports. The actor has a history of espousing left-wing views, including participating in a fundraiser focused on the discredited “Russian collusion” conspiracy theory with Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA). He has even attacked Ivanka Trump for simply posting a photo of her son dressed as a “Star Wars” stormtrooper for Halloween.
Being a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, it’s no surprise that Hamill has chosen to use his platform to voice his political beliefs. However, this latest post has clearly backfired, proving that even beloved movie stars should think twice before alienating their fans with a partisan message.
Celebrity is used loosely here. pic.twitter.com/gM57FBfo8a
— Earwax Abe (@earwaxabe) April 22, 2024
In the end, it’s clear that Hamill’s attempt to endorse his preferred candidate has only served to split his fan base, with many questioning whether they can continue to support an actor who so openly aligns himself with one political party.