Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Arts & Entertainment

Michael Shannon Unloads On Trump & 'The United States of Moronic F*cking Assholes'


By

Jen Carlson

Published Nov 18, 2016

Modified Nov 18, 2016


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Jen Carlson

Published Nov 18, 2016

Modified Nov 18, 2016


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Red Hook resident and phenomenal actor Michael Shannon has been out promoting his latest movie, Nocturnal Animals, but every Q&A he's sat down for has, instead, tuned us into his bleak thoughts on the current state of affairs in what he has dubbed “the United States of Moronic Fucking Assholes." Shannon said in a recent interview with Metro, "It should be talked about constantly. It should be the only thing anyone talks about." Below, an unfiltered Shannon wraps his beautiful, dark soul around Trump's America.

On the election being rigged
"On that day there were so many Trump voters who were saying, 'I voted for Trump, but it doesn’t make a difference because they got it rigged anyway.' Yeah, they sure fucking do, don’t they? Fuckin’ A, man." (via Metro)

On protests
"These protests are so moving, but ultimately what are they going to accomplish... at the end of the day the guy’s still going to be president. Maybe you need a civil war or something. We’ve got to do something about it. I don’t want to live in a country where people voted for Trump. I want to live in some other fucking country. But I don’t want to run away. So we’re just going to have to bust this thing up." (via Metro)

On shit being fucked up and bullshit
“I’ve heard a lot of people saying, ‘Oh, we should give [Trump] a chance, it’s not that bad.’ And I’m like, ‘No, you’re wrong. Just look at the news. It is that bad.’" (via EW)

On Trump supporters
"This country’s filled with ignorant jackasses. The big red dildo running through the middle of our country needs to be annexed to be its own country of moronic assholes. I don’t know how people got so goddamn stupid. But it’s really weird, because it’s like the last eight years, now it feels like a lie. Like, this has been festering underneath the whole time. Racists, sexists.

And a lot of these people, they don’t know why the fuck they’re alive. They know it. They’re doing drugs, fucking killing themselves. Because they’re like, 'Why the fuck am I alive? I can’t get a job, I don’t know anything about anything, I have no curiosity for life or the world.' So this Trump thing is like getting a box of firecrackers, or something. It’s like, 'Well, this will be fun for a little while, this’ll kill some time.' Because, y’know, the jackass will be amusing on television, stay stupid shit. Make everybody clap. Hillary would have been too boring, I suppose.

It’s the worst thing that’s ever happened. It’s the worst. This guy is going to destroy civilization as we know it, and the earth, and all because of these people who don’t have any idea why they’re alive." (via RogerEbert.com)

On how he's holding up
"I’m on tenterhooks here. I have two young children. Basically this man is probably going to destroy the earth and civilization as we know it. It’s kind of terrifying." (via Metro)

In conclusion
"I could use some vengeance right now, boy oh boy." (via Metro)

Tagged

donald trump

michael shannon


Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE arts-entertainment

Inside the hidden chamber that controls Lincoln Center's magnificent fountain

Gothamist went behind the scenes to learn how the NYC landmark keeps its majestic waters flowing.

By

Sonia Rao

Published Oct 23, 2026


In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff

We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."

By

James Ramsay

Arts & Entertainment

In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff

We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."

By

James Ramsay


A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings

By

Hannah Frishberg

A new film invites you to eavesdrop on one of the greatest conversations in NYC history

By

Sonia Rao

The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.

By

Sonia Rao


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .