Angelina Jolie wrote a NYT op-ed slamming Donald Trump’s Muslim Ban

Angelina Jolie and William Hague in Sarajevo

Did you know that Donald Trump had a long history of negging Angelina Jolie? It’s true. He talked sh-t about her for years. He mostly criticized her beauty and her work with the United Nations High Commission on Refugees, dismissing Jolie like this: “Angelina Jolie is sort of amazing because everyone thinks she’s like this great beauty. And I’m not saying she’s an unattractive woman, but she’s not beauty, by any stretch of the imagination. And now she’s like a representative of the United Nations and world peace on hunger and all of this crap.” Because in Baby Fists’ mind, the worst thing that could ever happen to a woman is that he does not find her attractive.

Through the years, Jolie has never addressed Trump directly, or Trump’s comments about her directly. In 2016, she gave a series of speeches – like her BBC speech, and her address at the State Department – where she discussed the ongoing refugee crises and the rising tide of intolerance and hate speech directed specifically at Muslim refugees. Many people have been blasting her for not coming out, guns blazing, just after Emperor Baby Fists’ Muslim Ban executive order was issued. To criticize her for not reacting within a 24-hour media cycle seems like a misinterpretation of Jolie’s work with the UNHCR, and how she sees herself working within the system. So she waited, thought about what she wanted to say, and wrote it all down for an op-ed in the New York Times – you can read the full piece here. Some highlights:

The Muslim ban fuels extremism: “Implying Muslims are less worthy of protection” inadvertently fuels extremism. In which case, she believes the response to Trump’s ban “must be measured and should be based on facts, not fear. “’America is committed to the world because so much of the world is inside America,’ in the words of Ronald Reagan. If we divide people beyond our borders, we divide ourselves.”

Fear versus strength: “Acting out of fear is not our way. Targeting the weakest does not show strength. It is simply not true that our borders are overrun or that refugees are admitted to the United States without close scrutiny. And in fact only a minuscule fraction — less than 1 percent — of all refugees in the world are ever resettled in the United States or any other country. There are more than 65 million refugees and displaced people worldwide.”

How refugees come to this country: “Refugees are in fact subject to the highest level of screening of any category of traveler to the United States. This includes months of interviews, and security checks carried out by the F.B.I., the National Counterterrorism Center, the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department…. The truth is that even if the numbers of refugees we take in are small, and we do the bare minimum, we do it to uphold the United Nations conventions and standards we fought so hard to build after World War II, for the sake of our own security.”

What happens if we deny entry to one particular religious group: “We are playing with fire,” she says, risking “a free-for-all in which even more refugees are denied a home, guaranteeing more instability, hatred and violence.” Jolie also strikes down the notion that refugees granted access to the U.S. are inherently dangerous, noting “only the most vulnerable people are put forward for resettlement in the first place: survivors of torture, and women and children at risk or who might not survive without urgent, specialized medical assistance. ”

Her personal story: “As the mother of six children, who were all born in foreign lands and are proud American citizens, I very much want our country to be safe for them, and all our nation’s children. But I also want to know that refugee children who qualify for asylum will always have a chance to plead their case to a compassionate America. And that we can manage our security without writing off citizens of entire countries — even babies — as unsafe to visit our country by virtue of geography or religion.”

[From Time & USA Today]

Yep, pretty much. I feel like I’m bad at gossip because whenever I read one of Angelina’s speeches or essays about her work with refugees, all I can think to say is “word” and “what she said.” The Muslim ban doesn’t make us safer. It makes us look like petty, hateful a–holes. We’re revictimizing refugees escaping horrendous conditions, and we’re banning the people who want to come to this country to become doctors, nurses, professors, scientists and tech wizards.

I’m already imagining Trump’s tweets about this. It will be all about Angelina’s looks and personality, I bet.

Photos courtesy of WENN, Getty.

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135 Responses to “Angelina Jolie wrote a NYT op-ed slamming Donald Trump’s Muslim Ban”

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  1. Nicole says:

    Such a great Op-Ed. I wonder what her dad says about it.

    • detritus says:

      I’m sure he will tell us, and shortly too lol.
      Voight loves to share his opinion. I could see him and 45 being golf buddies.

      • Heat says:

        @detritus & @Nicole +1
        Countdown to John Voight’s next idiotic diatribe on his daughter. Plus, since he’s a known Trump supporter, he’ll likely double-down on his level of stupid.

      • Carmen says:

        If he had any sense he’d be proud of her. It’s a great piece.

    • almondmilk says:

      First of all. Incredible Op-ed., measured and full of facts not ‘alternative facts,’ i.e., lies that the Trump zoo specializes in. These are things Angelina has been telling us for years. It’s called diplomacy- look it up Trump and Company.

      I agree with @heat about her Dad. He has never had Angelina’s back, and he won’t now. She knows it. Knows him. He has the same disease as Trump (misogyny) where a small bit of an important man’s time is worth three daughters/3 Angelina Jolies. Truly, he’s like an old goat farmer who would trade his daughters for another goat.

      Voight knows what Trump has said about Angelina, and he glossed over it when confronted – made it about something else not her character and integrity.

      I suspect to hear from Trump – would be shocked if he didn’t tweet or even address her piece. As Howard Stern said yesterday, this man loves Hollywood and can’t help but hear what the stars are saying about him.

      Watch this space. He will attack the NYT (he always does) for giving her a forum, then say something nasty and personal about her personal life and current struggles – like you can’t even keep your kids safe from your husband, or talk about her broken marriage/family in some capacity, and imply that it’s her fault or she needs to worry about her own problems.

      People here wonder why I took issue with Brad Pitt and what he doesn’t say about what happened and his own culpability. it’s because of THIS. Angelina Jolie, her diplomacy, her generosity, her expertise and years of work with refugees is invaluable at a time when you have a President lying about them and turning away dying grandmas and Iraq war heroes at our borders on a dime. Her work for almost 20 yrs is important.

      Pitt knows this drill. Knows he’s the golden boy. The one that “gets away with too much,” as he said himself, Angelina has shouldered being the villain for many years, and it was fine because she had her family and they were a united front. She didn’t need his absolution- even if some, like me- felt he should provide it.

      Now, that’s gone.

      If Brad could have done anything to take responsibility in a public way it would have helped his family, and her legacy of work that i would think he’d want to not only preserve and strengthen for his children but also because of the voice she can be and is, for refugees.

      • Greata says:

        +1000000000000000000000000, and then some.

      • serena says:

        THIS IS SO TRUE!

      • detritus says:

        AM, your Jolie takes are always the best.

      • Maya says:

        👏 exactly the same reason I lost respect for Brad.

      • Tate says:

        almondmilk BRAVO 100000000% THIS.

      • Naja says:

        +100

        “Brad Pitt is a pretty shell of a man, she made him interesting, standing next to her created a mania, what a waste man to fight with his teen” my work colleague this morning.

        What always amazed me is how some people think few comments on a site represents how the rest of the world feels. This woman is not hated. The only people who attacked for standing by her children was the gossip media led by her husbands lawyer. She has a reputation outside gossip and Hollywood, that is still intact.

        She didn’t need Brad Pitt to defend her, but I think his children needed him to not trash their mother.

      • Tara says:

        Agreed. I would like Brad to be openly and actively supportive of Angelina’s socio-political work. She deserves it, as do the causes she supports. Plus I think he is a good guy in his own right. More political activism from him and overt support of Ange’s work would stand testament to that. I would like to believe the current political climate eclipses their private problems and they collectively choose to focus on the greater good of the world, as well as their family.

    • serena says:

      Ugh.

    • swak says:

      I’m surprised Trump hasn’t told Jon Voight that he needs to get his daughter under control.

      • Raina says:

        Eh, it’s early yet…Voight will come out with something stupid. Also, I caught myself reading her palm in that one pic. Lol

    • a reader says:

      I’m no AJ fan, however, I give her MAJOR props for her refugee advocacy work.

      This Op-Ed was badly needed. It’s articulate, factual, and on point. *cheers*

    • Still in the process of reading through a lot of things today, but did she ask her fellow Hollywood people to stop calling for violence? She would be one of the ideal persons to do that, since she should know violence and rioting gets innocent people killed, too. If Hollywood helps successfully incite civil war, they will be hurting everybody, not just the ones they’re against.

      • Fa says:

        According to certain trolls Hollywood hate her

      • AnneC says:

        Because some students at UC Berkeley got out of hand, that’s Hollywood inciting civil war (and that’s after millions have peacefully protested)? Hmmm, Trump who has told Mexico we will send in troops, screamed at the leader of one of our biggest allies, saber rattled about Iran on his twitter, lifted some sanctions against his best friend Putin and okayed a raid where a navy seal died with Bannon & Jared Kushner providing counsel. No, I think the war will be started by the present unhinged occupant of the White House.

      • @Anne C, Have you seen tweets by Judd Apatow and Sarah Silverman?

      • AnneC says:

        I’m more worried about what the actual president of the United States is saying and doing than Judd Apatow. You do realize that this ban will help isis in their recruitment. Trump and his people are useful idiots for Putin and for Middle East terror groups.

    • stinky says:

      the terrorists really HAVE won, haven’t they.

  2. Greata says:

    A calm, thoughtful intelligent approach to a difficult issue. El Trumpo will certainly disagree.

  3. Zazz says:

    Very thoughtfull piece.

    Well done Angelina !

  4. Maya says:

    This is how you use you voice and power to attack people on racism. Not by calling them names or just scream loudly but by using words which shows Trump & his supporters just how in humane they are.

    Angelina not only managed to write about the refugees but she also wrote about how America truly was and is not anymore because of this racism.

    Angelina managed to put Trump in his place without actually mentioning his name and also by showing him that his little make America great again is just bs.

    She perfectly quoted Reagan and America is a nation built by refugees. That is it only Trump and his supporters who are truly cowards and has let fear overtake them.

    Well done Angelina and keep using your voice for good.

    • Josephina says:

      I read her op-ed and felt that she got her points across very well.

      Trump has embarassed and will continue to embarass us Americans. He has rushed so many executive orders without an proper follow-up or implementation support. He is a bonafide jackass. KellyAnn Conway and Sean Spicer clearly will say ANYTHING to try to continue to “market” Trump’s vulgar and nationalist agenda, creating lies and windmilling anyone who confronts them with facts.

    • TheOtherMaria says:

      Maya, I rarely agree with you but on this, we’re one of the same.

      Angie has been advocating for women’s rights and refugees for a decade, this woman knows her stuff!

      Her piece, as usual, was beautifully written and had absolute truths in them; I was waiting for a response from her because this is her area of expertise.

      Her humanitarian work, as always, is her her greatest legacy.

      I’m still so upset by this ban (really anything related to Trump), the countries he banned don’t have a history of terror acts on American soil!

      It pains me reading the racist advocations of this unconstitutional executive order, he’s truly a deplorable human being.

  5. Slowsnow says:

    There is a great video with Antonio Guterres, now UN Secretary General titled “Refugees have the right to be protected”.
    Like Jolie, he just deals facts, numbers and ethics. One of the facts, really surprising and very pertinent re: Trump’s ban, is that Somalia is (or was at the time of the interview) one of the countries that welcomes most refugees IN THE WORLD. One of the poorest is one of the most generous.
    https://www.ted.com/talks/antonio_guterres_refugees_have_the_right_to_be_protected

    • Ramona says:

      If he says that about Somalia in the video then he is gravely mistaken. Somalia has for the last 30 years been one of the worlds biggest sources of refugees. He either means Ethiopia or maybe Somaliland which is an autonomous self governing region.

      • Slowsnow says:

        @Ramona, I think you are right. Don’t have time to check (CB is addictive for relief these days but I am working) but I do think it’s Ethiopia! Thanks for replying.
        Sorry for Kellyianing… 🙁

      • daughterofthehorn says:

        nah actually he is very right. Google how syrian refugee and yemeni refugee have been welcomed to somalia. Somaliland doesn’t exist.

  6. Adorable says:

    Love that she didn’t even have to mention his name or be disrespectful to get her point across
    insightful and powerful read from an intelligent woman,Go Angie!

    • Tris says:

      I LOOOOOOVE this, and I looooooove her!

      • Belle Epoch says:

        Agree!!! She is everything Trump is not.

        It is unhinged to say she isn’t beautiful and her work is crap. I think he is threatened and jealous, therefore has to bully her. He’s a sh*thead and she took the high road.

  7. Tobbs says:

    The ban is a horrendous act. A former Norwegian prime minister was detained at Dulles on his way to the prayers breakfast just because his diplomatic passport contained a stamp from Iran. If a white, Scandinavian former prime minister can be detained for hours, I fear what treatments people of colour are receiving now.

  8. Artemis says:

    Trump will tweet something along the lines of the Triangle and how Brad left her now too OR her father hating her. And of course her looks too and how she’s ‘overrated’. Surprised he hasn’t done it yet tbh. I didn’t even know about his past comments about her, omg so needy for attention!

    And yup, what Jolie said. No alternative facts there, just real ones.

    • V4Real says:

      Yes the orange cheeto can’t help but to fire back. He will be on Twitter soon. He took a shot at Arnold but the Terminator fired back gloriously. I wish this site would post a story on that little fued between Arnold and Baby Fist.

      And well said Angie, we’ll said.

    • lightpurple says:

      He’s still busy tweeting about Schwarzenegger, the Australian PM, and how he wants to destroy Iran this morning.

    • Esmom says:

      Yeah, I could see Trump firing back just because he’s that petty.

      My only issue with her piece is that by choosing the NYT she is basically preaching to the choir. The people who need to open their eyes and minds will immediately dismiss this since it comes from a “failed, liberal rag” and will automatically think and do the opposite.

      This war on the media by Trump, Bannon et al is the most disturbing thing to emerge from this election cycle. It feels like a dagger to the heart to me when I see anything but Trump’s narrative just dismissed as “fake news.” I cannot imagine how real journalists are coping, even as they press on to resist.

      • teacakes says:

        That entire neo-nazi crowd has basically adopted Agent Orange’s strategy of accusing their opponents of the things they themselves are guilty of.

        Right-wing sites and forums were the biggest source of fake news this election, so of course they are going after the legitimate and fact-based newspapers and tv channels to label THEM fake news instead! Merriam-Webster needs to come in and collect these fools.

      • Tarsha says:

        True but how would she go about getting a right wing media to publish it? Is there an independent news outlet she could have got it in?

      • Otaku Fairy says:

        @teacakes: Agreed. I’m not sure if most of their minds can be changed.

  9. Talie says:

    People with high profiles like her will be very important moving forward because she can get eyes on her quickly to spotlight these issues. Plus, Trump only pays attention to famous people.

  10. Fa says:

    He is not going to say anything, she is not attacking him, she just is not happy with this new policy and hoping that the policy will change to welcome refugees

  11. Merry says:

    He will not react to this. It doesnt attack him directly, it just suggests that the policy shift is driven by fear rather than fact. Had she pointed out that its exclusively driven by islamphobia and xenophobia, or suggested that he is egotistical or sadistic, or even mocked him, then she would get a response. I will not be surprised if they offer her an invite to the WH for more optics as they did with Leo. The question is would she go.

    • JMO says:

      Trump doesn’t like her or cares what she has to say.

      • Tobbs says:

        I think he do care about what she thinks. He seems to be extremely thin skinned and needs constant validation from people he deems successful like himself. And since the only area he’s been somewhat good in is being a celebrity, I think he needs other celebrities validation especially.

      • MellyMel says:

        He cares about what EVERYONE has to say when it involves him.

      • almondmilk says:

        @jmo

        Not liking her and not caring are two different things.

        I agree he doesn’t like her. (which is bizarre since he doesn’t even know her)

        He’s proved he “cares,” in the way he’s negatively and obsessively commented about her over the years to an unhinged extent.

        It’s all on the record and on video, anyone can look it up.

    • justsaying says:

      If he says something about her, it won’t be nice and I really don’t see the WH inviting her.

    • Tarsha says:

      Neither did Meryl Streep address Trump directly, but look at how he attacked her!

  12. paolanqar says:

    Walls and bans are the most ignorant response when it comes to diversity.
    I can’t believe we have come to this.
    I hope he will get banned everywhere in the world. I don’t want to see his face in my country.

    • SilverUnicorn says:

      It’s not that different in UK and possibly this shift to the right will involve other countries too.

      So believe me we will have to stomach Trump and all his croonies abroad (like May and Farage) for a long, long time.

      Unless we find a spaceship to Mars……

  13. Sera says:

    She makes me proud to be a fan. I am happy she continues to use her voice.

    • Rosie says:

      COMPLETELY AGREE with you Sera – she inspires me, and many others, to do the same. Even if we don’t make the headline story at NYT, everything we do matters. So so proud of her.

  14. hmm says:

    Trump’s next goal: destroy the UN

    • lightpurple says:

      After he destroys Iran.

      • hmm says:

        @lightpurple

        Trump thinks he can bully other countries without consequences. Countries like the Iran won’t put up with his sh-t. If there’s a war we are the losers, Trump and his people will be fine.

      • detritus says:

        He wants to destroy Iran?
        Didn’t the US already start that process in the 70s? Is he in some sort of timewarp?

  15. Clare says:

    Just me, or does ti seem like it is mostly female actors who are being vocal agaisnt this insanity? I feel like people like Clooney have mumbled stuff here and there, but nothing quite so clear cut as Jolie, Hathway etc?!

    Also, where are the women who have built brands on girl power, women blah blah (selling shit to women) – Reeser, Witherspoon, blake Lively etc?

    • astrid says:

      +1

    • Marley says:

      Michael Shannon, Mark Ruffalo and Alec Baldwin have been pretty vocal.

      • bap says:

        Angelina Jolie has been vocal about Refugees for over 16 years.

      • rory says:

        @bap: So? Michael Shannon etc. have also criticized Trump, not just women.

      • Clare says:

        You’re right, thanks for pointing them out. I just feel like its more women than men standing up for this.

        Also, I’m mot mad at women who pretend to me all about women, like Reese who I mentioned, who when push comes to shove, don’t seem to give a toss.

    • almondmilk says:

      +1 from me too @Clare

      There are some people in Hollywood who not only now, but in the lead up to this insanity could have done a world of good towards dampening the hateful fervor.

      The very high profile celebrities that are so non-threatening and perceived as nice, that everyone who likes/loves them regardless of political affiliation may have thought twice about this sociopath in the WH.

      …and yet, it’s radio silence.

      Damon, Mcconaughey, Clooney also all of the progressive Bernie people (Sarandon where are you?) – nada and zilch.. In fact what they have said has been ambiguous at best and compromising at worst.

      I thought of Matthew yesterday. Sure it wasn’t that objectionable if you had been discussing anyone else but the loon in the WH. Then i thought, he’s a Texas boy with mixed kids married to an immigrant Afro-Latina.maybe he doesn’t want the grief from Trump’s Nazi base.

      Still standing up is important.

    • GoOnGirl says:

      Clare I could not agree with you more. Where are the Madonnas, and other people who have adopted children outside the US? Where are the fathers to these children who are being “persecuted”? Where is Amal Clooney who is trying to make this her vocation? And yes, where is George Clooney? Where is the Clooney statement condemning Baby Fist’s actions? And Almond Milk, keep those comments coming. I thoroughly agree with your point of view.

      • teacakes says:

        well, Madonna was at the Women’s March and said she felt like she wanted to blow up the White House, so she hasn’t exactly been silent.

    • Tara says:

      Clare. You’re right. Something seemed off. And that’s what it is. Well, among the myriad other things that are off. But u know what I mean…

  16. Marley says:

    The sad truth is that this recent travel ban has pretty widespread backing. Per Reuters and Ipsos, 48% support the executive order, and 41% don’t. You can always count on people backing injustice when it feeds their preconceived bigoted notions and/or alleviates real or imagined fears. The protests and outcry are heartening, but I suspect there is a silent majority that is perfectly fine with this.

    • Juls says:

      Yeah and these are pro-lifers we’re talking about here. Supporting a ban that essentially condemns babies and children refugees, that are fleeing war zones after seeing their homes destroyed, to die because we won’t help them. Pro. Lifers. I asked one of these nuts, WWJD? No. Coherent. Response.

    • Keaton says:

      I think it’s because Trump has successfully framed it as a security measure. Safety > Empathy. They think the only reason people oppose it is because they’re “soft hearted/soft headed” liberals.

      I wish more people would realize that it’s a failure even as a security measure. I’m not one for conspiracy theories and I usually give people the benefit of the doubt and think their intentions were good even when the effects of their decisions were bad (e.g., some of the stuff George W Bush did). But in this case I believe the theory that Bannon et al want to limit our immigration of peoples from Muslim majority countries for nefarious reasons. They want to preserve the so-called “white culture” and are hiding behind the terrorist threat to do it. I really think that’s the dirty truth. Trump isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer though so he probably buys into the idea he’s keeping America safe. *rolls eyes* Bannon however has a white supremacist agenda.

  17. tracking says:

    Very well said.

  18. Fa says:

    He tweeted about Paris accident this morning without knowing the fact, and he didn’t tweet what happened in Canada where a white supremacist killed Muslim because he supports Trump policy that all Muslim are bad for humanity

    • Khaleesi says:

      You know what is “funny”? When the Daily Mail thought that the killer is a Muslim they allowed comments but when the police confirmed that it was a white supremacist, they got rid of the comment section.

  19. Ramona says:

    This is a little harsh. I am also skeptical of the come-latelys who waited until the coast was clear to speak up (I see you Taylor). But then Angelina has had other pressing matters to deal with too. I’m not one to give Angie passes and honestly she gets too many here, and but I’ll give her this one.

    • Fa says:

      News flash, she doesn’t care what anyone say about her, this is why she still advocating for refugees for years

    • PettyRiperton says:

      Late or not lets not disregard her 15 years of work with refugees unlike others she’s puts in the work.

    • Luca76 says:

      I’m going to guess that whatever she wrote would have to go through channels because she has an official role with the UN.

    • Naja says:

      Lool Jolie and swift should not be mentioned in the same sentence. I work with people who actually benefited from her work with refugees for the last 15 years. You can side-eye all you like, it doesn’t diminish her work of 15 years or make her op-ed less important because it came out few days after the ban. This actually keeps the conversation going still keeping it in the forefront of our feeble media.

    • Tarsha says:

      Lol Angelina never gets passes on here. I know a few other celebs that get passes from here til eternity though.

  20. bap says:

    Thank you Dame Commander Angelina Jolie for a well thought out, facts driven and compassionate Op-ed!

  21. smcollins says:

    Well said, Angelina. Her work over the years has given her more insight than a lot (dare I say most) people, other than those directly effected of course. If any “celebrity’s” voice “deserves” to be heard, it’s hers. She knows what she’s talking about, and could teach Trump and his minions a thing or two.

  22. serena says:

    DITTO! I love her, she named checked-facts and was diplomatic and graceful as always.

  23. kri says:

    I’m with her.

  24. Maria says:

    after seeing what a economic protest can do (Uber/Nordstrom), I am waiting for the first White House events and the attendees. I sincerely hope that most of the celebrities/journalists will decline the invitations, but if not, I will start boycotting their movies, tv shows, music what have you not. I think it is the only way to put them on notice. Especially since i will not have the pleasure to decline an invite myself…..

  25. bap says:

    Angelina gave statistical analysis to enhance validity to the information she presented in which I was very impressed.

  26. Keaton says:

    I love how she’s so thoughtful and logical. Well done! You can tell she has years of knowledge and experience to back up what she is saying.

  27. tw says:

    I was waiting for this! Perfection.

  28. crazydaisy says:

    I saw the op-ed yesterday. Beautifully and sensitively written. Her choice to quote Reagan: genius. Go Angie! So proud of my/our girl. <3

    ..And on a petty note, b/c this IS a gossip site, after all (!) how can DT find Angelina Jolie anything other than beautiful beyond words, a genuine, bona fide, natural perfect 10? Maybe she snubbed him once? Can't figure it out.

    • Otaku Fairy says:

      That means he probably actually thinks Melania and Ivanka are more attractive than Angelina.

  29. original kay says:

    Angelina <3

  30. Naja says:

    As always Angelina bravo and thank you.
    This is going to bother Drumph more, she completely ignored him.
    Just get them with facts Angelina.

  31. Sara says:

    These are no the writings of a mentally unstable person. I truly think Brad was the problem.

  32. Lola says:

    That was a smart and factual.
    Makes me proud to be a fan of hers.
    So I read she wasn’t a woman’s woman, what’s the criteria to be a woman’s women??
    The rest of Hollywood preach about feminism and equality when it suits them huh

    Major probs to Angelina, Michael Shanon, ruffalo, Hathaway and Alec Baldwin.

  33. neil says:

    First, Angie’s op ed is great as is usually the case with her. I just wish all the headlines referring to her piece would honor its intentions and not make it sound as personal as it ISN’T. She never mentions Trump’s name and I don’t think that is by accident. She really is more concerned about policy and is actually trying to appeal to Trump’s vanity as well as his reason. But Trump won’t see it that way because others have decided it’s much juicier if we turn this into some sort of feud narrative. I just hope other minds close to the “Orange One” will consider the actual text because she is right, it isn’t just the lives of refugees that is at stake here.

  34. Capella says:

    Sadly, trump is a sociopath!! and Angelina Jolie’s perfect articulation of the problem and clearly aimed words will not in any way sway the opinions or conscience of the most crucial target. He will only see and feel the article as an affront and a threat to his identity. His identity isn’t vested in intelligent governance, his identity is about winning … period!! He wants to win and to hell with anyone else. He ran for the presidency not with the presidency being the goal, but winning being the goal … and it continues. He immediately tackled “voter fraud” and challenged the number of attendees at his inauguration … BeeeeCause … it is essential to him that we all know he won and is a winner. He can’t settle into his new role with reason and diplomacy because he continues to need the feeling of dominance … to feel like he is winning something or winning against someone. He is not capable of concession, compromise, cooperation, and diplomacy. Making America Great Again is about making America work for his own personal interests … period!! Hopefully, Angelina Jolie’s words and the sound advice of many others (including conservatives) will continue to inspire and educate those who know this farce cannot continue for much longer but more importantly it will strike a chord in those who are now realizing they signed a deal with the devil.

    • neil says:

      Very true with most of what you say; he only has a shallow grasp on the issues and governance (I am convinced of that more and more) but he is also surrounded by people and some of them have to have a better understanding than he does of issues and consequences and if they “handle” him properly (can’t believe a man like him is President) perhaps he can be urged to back away from this poorly conceived action of his.

    • bap says:

      @Capella Very well said.

  35. teacakes says:

    Good on her, I’ll be very surprised if Agent Orange manages to restrain himself from having another tantrum now.

  36. Anna says:

    I want to give the highest praise possible to Angelina Jolie. This lady knows how to write. Her insight has the foresight and experience to bring people together. The information is not out there. She has it first hand. Her words repeated, changing fear…our objective is to move forward together on this planet. That’s all I want to hear about. Hit me with your wisdom Angelina. Help us to overcome fear and replace it with compassion and the right thing to do. Love in our hearts. Just love.

  37. bap says:

    @Joannie Angelina writes her own Op-eds and she is always hands on with her directing, producing, Humanitarian work and all her projects. Angelina is simply the Best!

    • YepIsaidit says:

      I agree with you bap and almond milk. This is one thing Angelina would never risk – her work with unhcr. What happened with Brad and her kids was so obviously out of her hands and he’s a f-ing -a hole for letting it get to the point where people were questioning her. I’m glad she’s at the point that she feels she can be as open and outspoken about the issues she cares about as she always has been.

      She’s right and it’s great to see actual facts. I think that’s how people should argue against all things trump-‘WITH FACTS cause he hates facts.

      • bap says:

        YepISaidit you are right on!

      • Cara says:

        Pitt wanted to smear her reputation even with her work in the UN. His attack bulldog/lawyer dared to question her mental status as a mean to win public opinion. That’s the kind of man she unfortunately got stuck with. Yes Aniston sure dodged a big one with this cheater.

      • bap says:

        @Cara Very well said.

  38. Theoriginalme says:

    Unfortunately the problem here is that the supporters of the Orange Baffoon don’t read the Times… and I doubt if they are at all interested in what Angelina has to say. I think these op eds… we here on Celebitchy can applaud them all we want, but they are futile as they preach to the converted. The way to fight is to financially support the ACLU or Planned Parenthood, for e.g. and to write and call our representatives in congress. I’m not suggesting voices shouldn’t be raised. I’m just trying to focus on pragmatic and concrete steps we can take to defend our rights in the next 2/4 years. It’s a way for me to maintain my hope during these dark times.

  39. Jennie Yarborough says:

    I just became Team Angie. Trump is bringing together all kinds of people in unity against his hate.

  40. bitchy says:

    Dear Angie,

    why don’t you ever say anything about how to prevent people and their children from becoming refugees in the first place? I would really like to hear or read a more in-depth piece from you on that issue.