Actor Jon Cryer is making headlines for his comments on President Donald Trump.
During a recent appearance on the MeidasTouch Podcast, Cryer shared his views, saying Trump “was always kind of a moron” and “still doesn’t understand how tariffs work, even at the most basic level.”
Entertainment Industry Built the Trump Myth
Cryer, best known for his role on “Two and a Half Men,” said he feels sympathy for some Trump supporters, including those in his own family.
But he pointed to the entertainment industry’s role in creating the false image of Trump as a brilliant billionaire.
“We created this image of this billionaire, brilliant guy, and it was never him,” Cryer said.
“He was always kind of a moron.”
He explained that Trump’s reputation as a savvy businessman was mostly manufactured for TV.
“The boardroom on ‘The Apprentice’ was a set,” he said, adding that real Trump properties often looked “cheesy” and that Trump’s famous book The Art of the Deal was ghostwritten.
Trump’s “Weird FOX Brain” and Economic Failures
Cryer argued that Trump’s policies, especially on trade and tariffs, revealed a deep lack of understanding.
“He’s got this weird FOX brain that’s been addled by 40 years of Fox [News],” Cryer said.
According to him, Trump truly believes in the success of trade wars that most economists agree are disastrous.
Trump supporters are beginning to notice.
During the conversation, MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas shared examples of former Trump voters, including business owners, speaking out.
Ben highlighted Craig Fuller, who runs a freight-related media company, writing, “I did not vote for a neutron bomb to wipe out supply chains and small businesses.”
He also mentioned musician Azealia Banks expressing regret, saying, “Okay, I think it’s time everyone who voted for Trump admit that we made an effing mess here.”
Historical Parallels and the Importance of Resistance
Cryer, who is passionate about history, warned that the situation mirrors early authoritarian movements.
He pointed out that Trump’s behavior—using fear to control people and weaponizing federal power was predictable.
“It won’t be tanks on every corner,” he said. “It’s people being scared for their jobs, people scared for their businesses.”
Drawing comparisons to figures like Adolf Hitler, Cryer stressed the danger of normalizing such leadership.
He said that in history, authoritarianism often creeps in slowly, making it easier for people to adapt rather than resist.
“Hitler wasn’t Hitler until he was,” Cryer said. “He just seemed like a guy who loved Germany.”
Signs of Hope
Despite the grim comparisons, Cryer expressed optimism. He noted that America’s longer democratic traditions and stronger institutions offer some protection.
“It takes a while for a real understanding of what’s happening to filter down,” he said. “But I do believe that people are starting to fight back.”
Cryer praised ongoing protests, legal challenges, and even calls for general strikes from conservative commentators as signs that Americans are waking up to the damage.
He emphasized the need for a “people power style movement” to resist authoritarianism, calling on Americans to remain vigilant and proactive.
“You can’t obey in advance,” Cryer said. He said it’s important for people to take action when it counts.