During the Keanu Reeves Renaissance (the Keanaissance), I described him as the only unproblematic dude from his generation of actors. It’s true though. Name another actor between 45 and 55 who has such a great, unblemished reputation professionally and personally. Well, add another one to the Problematic Pile, because John Cusack insists on being the worst. Cusack used to have a Keanu-like reputation back in the day – great guy to work with, not a lot of drama in his personal life. But the years have not been kind to John Cusack. He’s one of those guys who used to be genuinely progressive and anti-Establishment and then the sh-t just got crazy and racist and anti-Semetic as he got older.
Yesterday was a new low for Cusack. He decided to retweet an anti-Semitic cartoon which looks like the kind of thing that would have been published in the Berlin Gazette in 1935. I’m not going to even publish it here, but you can see it on this thread. After Cusack retweeted the cartoon with the message “Follow the Money.” Because I guess the anti-Semitic image wasn’t enough, he had to go deep on the racist trope. After that, Cusack tweeted several defenses of his retweet, and then the sh-t continued to hit the fan, so he then claimed that a “bot” got him:
4. See what I mean? Why do his tweets look this way? pic.twitter.com/iBC4TNvPPy
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) June 18, 2019
Which makes no sense, since he was literally defending his “follow the money” tweet anyway. Also: I just spent about three minutes on his Twitter feed and I seriously got a headache from it. I think I knew that he’s a Bernie Sanders supporter, but his feed really does look like one of those rando Russian-bot accounts made to stir division about race wars and sh-t. Could it be that a “bot” didn’t hack Cusack’s Twitter? Could it be that Cusack is himself a shadowy Russian bot?
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Cusack blocked me on twitter months ago. So I was honored to have missed this isht.
same here – I only saw the whole thing because of Yashar Ali. Bernie bros are the biggest snowflakes on earth, even Dan Bongino has nothing on them. Cusack is among the worst, he and Sarandon should make a movie together.
Yes, I was blocked by him too a long time ago. Although I never once interacted with him on Twitter. So weird. I think he just went crazy and blocked a whole bunch of people for no reason.
Good for you, Darla.
He’s been a toxic Bro for some time now. I see his shit from time-to-time because of some of the progressives I follow on Twitter but he’s a real mess. Surprised more people didn’t know..
I’m overtired, and I’ve been sick to my stomach all morning. And this is…. just so strange. I’m not processing things all that quickly because of how sick I feel -but my god. What a mess.
I’m not sick and this makes no sense to me. So no worries, lol!
I’m with you, and I don’t get it. I understand the cartoon is anti-semitic trope, but why send it out now. Who was Cusak aiming this at? Have I missed a current event or something recently. I remember Rep. Omar’s comments, but that was a while ago. Is he a Sarandon and Bernie forever person? I just haven’t kept up with him. All I noticed was his face is really puffy and he needs to stop dyeing his hair so dark.
Come on there has to be some famous actor age 45-55 who doesn’t have an issue. Do we put Clooney in that group. Robert Downey, Jr maybe. (granted you have women and drugs there, but they seem to have overcome those) Come on girls take the challenge. I admit it’s hard to think of anyone, other than Keanu, but there has to be more.
“I understand the cartoon is anti-semitic trope, but why send it out now. ” Unfortunately, anti-semitic hate crimes are on the rise just about everywhere right now. I wish I could say it was all stemming from nationalism but IMO, where there is some form of political extremism in the west, there is anti-semitism rn. My partner is Jewish and I genuinely worry about keeping a mezuzah up here in the UK. What is head scratching tho is that Sanders is Jewish and I always thought Cusack was a big Bernie Bro.
@sarste – yeah, he was all in for Bernie so it’s odd to me that he turns out to be so anti Semitic. I know Sanders has anti Semitic followers, but I don’t get it.
Steve Carell, Paul Giamatti, Steve Buscemi, Mads Mikkelsen, Bryan Cranston…
What’s weird about Cusack tweeting an anti-Semitic cartoon and follow-up comment is that if he is a Sanders fan, Sanders is Jewish!
Grandpa doesn’t understand a lot of things including what the word bot means.
I know, right? JFC. I used to think he was pretty intelligent.
Me, too. Before I joined Twitter and started seeing his barley-coherent tweets. I kind of feel the same way about Vincent D’Onofrio, except I like him a lot more than Cusack.
*barely. Maybe I shouldn’t be talking huh.
@Kitten… ha! I thought you meant he was drunk tweeting with the “barley coherent.”
@KITTEN:
LOL! Keep talking though, it’s to see you around here again 🙋🏻♀️
I know he’s not that much older than me, but I’m honestly starting to wonder if he’s experiencing some kind of early-onset cognitive issues. He doesn’t seem like the same person he used to be, and some of his asshattery really doesn’t make a lot of sense.
He’s terrible and has been for a long time.
Exactly.
At least he wears a baseball cap with a warning on it. 😉
LOL
He just killed Lloyd Dobler for me.
Totally. I loved Lloyd so much. Say Anything was my movie in high school (an ex even played In Your Eyes outside my window) and now he’s ruined it. I had no idea he was like this. Gross.
Samesies. I LOVED Lloyd Dobler. He and Johnny Depp were my dreamboats. Sheesh.
I know. How is that possible (but it is)?
This would be so upsetting to ‘90s me.
Guess you’re never too young to be old and bitter. {Sigh}
Wow. He used to be so cute. Now he looks like an old woman and is a racist Nazi to boot. PItiful.
Why do you use the term “old woman” as an insult? Asking for an old woman friend.
Yeah, that stuck out. I’ve seen it before and it seems that apparently the most insulting thing you can say to someone is that they look like an “old woman” or, failing that, a “middle aged woman”.
It’s an archaic mindset that believes women are only valuable for their fertility, so “old women” are symbolic of lost value. The comment is a cry to be educated about the modern world, honestly.
Being an aging woman is insulting to many in our society.
I probably wouldn’t have said it, but between his inflated face distorting his features and dyed hair, he does indeed look like an old woman. It’s not a knock. May I be so lucky as to get old.
I’m an old woman (soon to be 69) and I thought it was pretty funny (and true).
I hope Keannu Reeves will never join Twitter or FB because my heart cannot take it if he tweets some anti-vaxx crap, stuff like that. Let Dogstar be his past shame.
Dogstar! Oh my gosh, thanks for that!
I just don’t even understand this or what he’s even talking about. What a crazy person. He has been this way for a few years now? Ugghh
I wonder if I miss the old days when we could just enjoy celebrities and artists for their performance and art… And not have to learn much about who they are as people.
Same.
Idk, I think I prefer knowing where my money goes. I like to know who I shouldn’t be daydreaming about
Is he anti Semitic or anti Zionism? There’s a huge difference as the latter isn’t bigotry and that could be an Israeli reference. Israel doesn’t speak for the Jewish people, a lot of whom are anti Zionist or don’t see a nationalistic Jewish state – esp a genocidal one – as essential. This includes people whose parents and grandparents died in the holocaust. US gives Israel 9 million in defence aid A DAY or 3.3 billion a year!!!
Anti Zionism is a problematic construct. It’s possible to be a Zionist (the term, simply, is the belief in the right of the Jewish people to have self-determination in a state of their own) while not approving of the Israeli government and its policies while also advocating and working for Palestinian self-determination and rights. It’s a much longer and more nuanced discussion than is appropriate in this space (for so many reasons including thread-jacking) but the bottom line is that for Jewish Israelis and Palestinian nationals, the reality is that this land is their land, and they have to figure out a way to share it in a way that leaves all stakeholders with a safe place to live in dignity.
If he was being anti-Zionist, he could have used his own words, or chosen an image that doesn’t engage in the kind of anti-Semitic imagery that has been used historically to cast Jews as monsters. That giant hand crushing those people is marked with a Star of David, which doesn’t just apply to Israel. And the stereotype of Jews oppressing people through superior economic power has been used by everyone from Henry Ford to that “Rent is too damn high” random mayoral candidate in NYC. There’s a complex history at play here:
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/antisemitism-in-history-the-early-modern-era-1300-1800?series=21806
That’s from the Holocaust museum, and it explains the complicated history of Jews and Europeans around money. All of this is super-ironic considering Cusack is a member of an upperclass in America that is only possible under capitalism… and he’s casting economic power as a damaging thing to the underclass.
Just to be clear, I’m no Zionist either. But there’s a dramatic uptick in violence against Jews in the States, and the Holocaust started with a preponderance of Anti-Semitic cartoons, too. We have to take imagery seriously.
Uptick in antisemitic incidents across Europe, too, including murders and desecrations.
are you for real? you want to discuss the fine points of “Anti-Zionism” after looking at the antisemitic crap that Cusack posted?
This!!!!
+1 !!!!!
Yep
He’s antisemitic. He chose to tweet out an antisemitic cartoon garnished with the words of a neo-Nazi/pedophile/white-nationalist/holocaust denier (Kevin Alfred Strom is responsible for that popular “Anti-Zionist” quote, not Voltaire).
It’s the same thing. As a Jew, being anti zionism or anti semetic is the same shit. Israel is a JEWISH STATE. The ONLY Jewish state. if you are against a state that represents itself as Jewish, you are anti semetic. Don’t make excuses for this steaming pile of garbage.
Really Dani?! This seems so extreme (and I wouldn’t even say I’m one of the ones against any of it!)
You mean against the existence of the state or against its Govt or it’s policies? Where is the line. How much can people criticize without being anti Semitic?
As a jew, I reject your hypothesis dani. I was raised in israel and as I become an adult I vehemently oppose the toxic ideology that is zionism. Neither you or bibi speak for all jewish people.
Criticising the atrocities of the state of israel is not antisemitism. What JC did is not the same.
This is why we need more Jewish states.
Can we please not conflate anti-zionism with anti-semitism. Many jews describe themselves as anti zionist or non zionist, and it doesn’t make them antisemitic. Finally, having a problem with Israel being a jewish state does not make them antisemitic (or else you are calling quite a few Israeli political parties in the Knesset including Meretz who want to have a democratic state of Israel as antisemitic and this is wrong).
What Cusack posted is horribly troubling with the ‘follow the money’ comment.
Yes, and under Netanyahu, the government of Israel has done some scary shifting to the hard right.
Agree with you guys, whitecat and The Recluse! Thanks!
In addition to being disgusting yesterday, he also gave the alt-right bigoted incels something to swam over and distract from the meltdown that was their precious Kyle Kashuv getting bounced out of Harvard that went on all day. Cusack gave them the chance to scream: “look, liberals are as bad as we are!”
Conservatives – “Harvard is a marxistsocialistcommunist sh*thole of rampant liberalism for sheep-mentality-groupthink-soyboy-cucks!!”
Also Conservatives – “Why won’t Harvard accept my application after I posted racist stuff all over my social media, like school students were specifically warned not to for, like, at least a decade now?!!!”
Yeah, I was following various threads about it yesterday and the cognitive dissonance among the right is truly something.
And their defense of Kashuv reminded me of the Kavanaugh mess…as if racism, bigotry, sexual assault and blackout drinking are just common rites of teen-hood. Horrible.
Both of these!!
And conservatives are the ones that call people snowflakes.
“And their defense of Kashuv reminded me of the Kavanaugh mess…as if racism, bigotry, sexual assault and blackout drinking are just common rites of teen-hood.”
man, that “who didn’t say something like this as a kid?!” gets old. ME! THAT’S WHO! you f*cking bigots.
oh, and let’s not forget their go-to for incidents like this…”whatever happened to free speech?!!!!”
some folks will NEVER learn that freedom of speech DOES NOT MEAN freedom from consequences.
And they’re claiming that he was discriminated against and should sue because Harvard takes federal money. His acceptance wasn’t rescinded because he was a white boy or a Jewish boy; his acceptance was rescinded because he showed he lacked the moral character expected of students; he had posted racial slurs hundreds of times; and, despite his claims of growth and apologies, never apologized to the specific girl or boy who were the targets of his spew or POC in general. His “apology” was that he deeply regretted getting caught. Being a racist is not a protected class and he has no grounds for a discrimination claim. Yesterday, he blamed other kids, the media, and Harvard with no acceptance of responsibility for his own actions.
The reactions of the girls from Parkland yesterday were everything. He has bullied them for years and would send his minions after them with death threats. They’re the ones who reported him and they felt vindicated yesterday.
And no, as a 16 year old, I wasn’t using racial slurs. Nobody in my circle or family did. We knew it was wrong and so did Kyle Kashuv and so does John Cusack.
Harvard’s main source of income is private money and they are a private school. As long as they don’t violate laws they can admit who they want. I know they are being sued for affirmative action issues, but if they have the same approach for all applicants and rescind admission for all who post like Kusnov did even if they lose the lawsuit they should be fine with this. Federal funds for various projects although nice won’t hurt Harvard much if they go away. My questions to conservatives if you feel Harvard is way liberal why do you want to be there?
For some reason i always thought he was nice but now i realize i was confusing him with someone else. I can’t remember who though 🤔
He still hates Trump with the fire of 10,000 suns so you can take comfort in that…
He is another deranged leftist who ends up lashing out at his own as he loses it.
He’s the most dangerous type of awful person… an awful person who also hold some decent beliefs. They’re way harder to spot that the ones who just spew the Fox News talking points all day. Thanks for making it easy, John!
Hope it’s not a family thing because I adore his sister. Don’t even know if she’s on Twitter, and I’m not going to check. Blissful ignorance.
Sick of the bot nonsense. It’s the adult equivalent of the dog ate my homework.
Yeah, I followed him on Twitter years ago and realized he is a problematic dumpster fire. He previously did not come across this way. One of my favorite movies is Grosse Pointe Blank. I also remember enjoying High Fidelity but it’s been over a decade since I’ve seen it.
He must be an absolute pill to work with, because his star has fallen HARD.
He seemed okay at first, but I’ve noticed his tweets becoming increasingly incomprehensible. I just unfollowed.
You phrased it just right. That’s exactly what I noticed.
I’ve wondered for a long time what happened with him. He was everywhere doing good projects for a decade and a half—then suddenly the movies got less frequent…and were hit and miss. And he seemed drama-free during his most popular years on top.
You just got a peek at what is hiding under his virtue signaling. It really does explain things.
A “bot” got him like a “facelift” got him. Or maybe just a cheek implant.
Oh shit. I missed that. Unfollowing ASAP.
Ugh, I had such a crush on him circa Grosse Pointe Blank. He has aged into Deeply Uncool. Why, John, why? Joan is and always has been the superior Cusack (she’s still okay, right??).
Ann is a good Cusack, as well.
I know very little about her. I only remember her from her minuscule role in Grosse Pointe Blank. Anyway, the ladies are holding it together (as far as I know).
Few things shock me in this hell scape, but that pic he retweeted absolutely did. Kaiser was absolutely right, it did look like nazi propaganda. I’m sickened.
Unfortunately, this isn’t new behavior from Cusack. He’s been a total jerk for awhile now. What a shame……Say Anything was a classic.
As far as I know, John Cusack has been terrible for YEARS. Just going more public with it, I guess.
John Cusack is a very good actor; one of the best of his generation. I like Keanu (very much) but Cusack can out-act Keanu in his sleep. Unfortunately, Mr. Cusack also has a drinking problem and his personal life is the result. I think his career has also suffered because he doesn’t work as much as he could or should. It’s a shame, but if people with all the resources in the world refuse to get help, there’s not much that can be done.
John looks terrible these days. Pale, flabby, jowly, overly dyed hair.
He is great friends with Jeremy Piven, IRL. I cant stand Piven!
So now, to see these things Cusack is saying…Done with you.
Add John Cusack to my growing list of jerks who used to be attractive.
See also: Depp, Pitt, Cruise
Apparently he and Piven WERE friends, but had a falling out and aren’t anymore.
No idea which one of the caused the riff… each one is a piece of work in his own way.
Paul Rudd is the better John Cusack. And he hasn’t done anything problematic has he?
I googled Paul Rudd controversy and came up with this. It’s funny.
https://www.gq.com/story/paul-rudd-david-wain-wanderlust
Paul Rudd may be an underrated national treasure.
In one of those behind the scenes videos that Chris Evans posted, he describes who’s there during the shoot and describes Paul Rudd as ‘being Paul Rudd’ in the background. It was funny.
Guys I don’t think are problematic in that age range but could have missed something…Adam Scott, Paul Rudd, Mark Ruffalo. I think that’s about it. I’d include Tom Hanks but he’s a bit older.
At least we have them too, along with Keanu!
Didn’t he say something around the time Identity came out that was questionable? I vaguely remember canceling him back then.