White House responds to Johnny Depp's Glastonbury comments about assassinating presidents
Actor made the controversial remarks while introducing a film at Glastonbury
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A White House official has apparently responded to comments made by Johnny Depp at Glastonbury Festival about an actor assassinating a president.
The Pirates of the Caribbean star was introducing his film The Libertine when he said that Trump needed "help" and there were "a lot of dark places he could go".
"I'm not insinuating anything - by the way this will be in the press and it will be horrible," he said to laughter from the crowd, "but when was the last time an actor assassinated a president?"
Katherine Faulders, a White House reporter for ABC News, tweeted a statement she said was given by an official in response to Depp's remarks.
"President Trump has condemned violence in all forms and its [sic] sad that others like Johnny Depp have not followed his lead," it read.
"I hope that some of Mr Depp's colleagues will speak out against this type of rhetoric as strongly as they would if his comments were directed to a democrat elected official."
While the reaction to Depp's comments at Glastonbury seemed mostly positive, others on social media have criticised him for being in poor taste.
The remarks come weeks after a gunman opened fire and injured a Republican congressman, along with four other people, in Virginia in the US.
ABC reported earlier that the US Secret Service is "aware" of Depp's comments.
He is not the first US celebrity to cause controversy by alluding of "assassination attempts" on the US President.
Madonna said she had thought "an awful lot about blowing up the White House" at a rally which took place shortly after Trump's inauguration ceremony.
Snoop Dogg later released a music video where he shot a toy gun at a clown resembling Trump.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments