Tim Robbins has been applauded by Republicans and Democrats alike for his reaction to bizarre conspiracy theorists who've used his 1992 film Bob Roberts as the basis for their latest speculation.
Baseless theories have been bandied around the web over the weekend claiming the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally was staged.
On Saturday, one attendee was killed and two others wounded when a 20-year-old gunman opened fire at the 78-year-old.
Trump was bloodied after a bullet grazed his ear as Secret Service agents rushed to the stage to shield him from the attacker before he was escorted to safety.
The shooting was widely condemned across all aspects of the US political spectrum, with President Joe Biden issuing a statement denouncing the incident.
However, amid the condemnations were theories suggesting what had taken place bore a resemblance to Robbins' movie in which he starred as a conservative politician running for a US Senate seat.
Donald Trump was rushed to safety following the assassination attempt in Pennsylvania
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Robbins wrote, starred in and directed the film in which the fictional politician is subject to an assassination attempt while running for a seat in Pennsylvania.
However, Robbins' title character had staged the whole ordeal in a bid to win over voters in the film - a storyline that piqued the interest of conspiracy theorists after Saturday's events.
But Robbins has blasted these comparisons, urging members of the public to show compassion and branding those denying the assassination attempt as "deranged".
He penned on X, formerly Twitter: "To anyone drawing a parallel between my film Bob Roberts and the attempted assassination of Trump, let’s be clear.
To anyone drawing a parallel between my film Bob Roberts and the attempted assassination of Trump, let’s be clear. What happened yesterday was a real attempt on a presidential candidate’s life.
— Tim Robbins (@TimRobbins1) July 14, 2024
Those that are denying the assassination attempt was real are truly in a deranged…
"What happened yesterday was a real attempt on a presidential candidate’s life.
"Those that are denying the assassination attempt was real are truly in a deranged mindset.
"A human being was shot yesterday. Another killed. They may not be human beings that you agree with politically but for shame folks. Get over your blind hatred of these people.
"They are fellow Americans. This collective hatred is killing our souls and consuming whatever is left of our humanity," he signed off.
Before long, the actor was inundated with applause from all corners of the political world, with several Trump supporters thanking the actor for speaking out despite his history of Democrat support.
"I think I disagree completely with your politics. And agree with you completely on this. God bless the USA," one person wrote.
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Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins recently reunited three decades after starring in The Shawshank Redemption
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A second agreed: "I don’t think I’ve ever agreed with Tim Robbins before (even though he’s a terrific actor). Thank you for this simple and unequivocal statement."
And a third echoed: "The clarity the country needs now. Life and humanity is more important than politics."
Elsewhere, a fourth applauded: "Appreciate the comments Tim. I totally disagree with your politics but agree with you here. Thanks."
"Well said, Tim. Thank you for applying your celebrity status in a productive manner. God bless you and yours," another remarked.
Before a sixth said of the statement: "Tim Robbins: one of my favorite actors, one of my least favorite when it comes to politics. But obviously a great empathetic human and a patriot."