Knives Out 3's Josh Brolin Explains Former Friendship With Trump

Knives Out 3 Actor Josh Brolin Explains Former Friendship With Trump: "There Is No Greater Genius" By  Jennifer Chu Published 27 minutes ago Jennifer is a TV News Editor at ScreenRant. She started her journey in entertainment media in 2022 when she first joined Valnet at CBR before coming to ScreenRant. Jennifer loves TV, especially science fiction. She also loves late-night talk shows, due to her insomnia. Alien: Earth is definitely one of her favorite shows, and she jumps on any chance she gets to write about it. Even on her days off, she will claim an Alien Earth article if one is available.  Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon are two of her favorite late-night hosts, and Conan O'Brien before he left his show. Her Alien: Earth coverage for Screen Rant is by far the work that she is most proud of so far. She began her career as an editor in 2014. She was initially a finance editor, but her passion for pop culture convinced her to transition into entertainment journalism. During her off time, she loves to binge-watch cooking shows such as Kitchen Nightmares. Jennifer also loves spending time with her daughter and cherishes every moment of it. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

Josh Brolin is looking back on his former friendship with Donald Trump, years before he was elected as the President of the United States.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery actor became acquainted with Trump when they worked together on the set of Oliver Stone’s sequel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010). While they both filmed for the movie, the current president's role was later removed from the final cut.

In an interview with The Independent, Brolin was asked if his character in Knives Out 3, Monsignor Wicks, a pompous and ignorant priest, was based on Trump. The actor denied it and said any statement implying that the president inspired the character in any way would be untrue. "I could make something up and say it was rooted in a kind of Trumpian greed," he told the publication.

Brolin said that he was not afraid of his former friend despite all the chaos and drama that had come with his presidency. And, he stated that although he was bragging about staying in office forever, he highly doubts it is going to happen, and if it does, he'll just "deal with" it. He also added that when they were friends, he was a completely different person from who he is today.

I’m not scared of Trump, because even though he says he’s staying forever, it’s just not going to happen. And if it does, then I’ll deal with that moment. But having been a friend of Trump before he was president, I know a different guy.

Brolin went on to say that his early encounters with the businessman were more calm and collected than his political public persona. He acknowledged the likelihood that there was a lot of corruption surrounding Trump’s ventures. However, he was still fascinated by everything he was able to accomplish. To him, the person he once knew is almost the opposite of what he sees now. "It’s power unmitigated, it’s unregulated,” he explained.

Despite his fractured view of President Trump, Brolin doesn't think he's all bad. He indirectly complimented his talent when it came to marketing and business affairs. He adds that he really knows how to work a crowd, which is what makes him a good "mascot" to his supporters.

There is no greater genius than him in marketing – he takes the weakness of the general population and fills it. And that’s why I think a lot of people feel that they have a mascot in him. I think it’s much less about Trump than it is about the general population and their need for validation.

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is currently playing in select theaters. It will be available to stream on Netflix on December 12, 2025.

Headshot Of Josh Brolin In The 'Dune:Part 2' premiere  Josh Brolin Birthdate February 12, 1968 Birthplace Santa Monica, Los Angeles, California, USA

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Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed PG-13 Comedy Drama Mystery Release Date November 26, 2025 Runtime 140 minutes Director Rian Johnson Writers Rian Johnson Producers Ram Bergman, Rian Johnson 9 Images Wake Up Dead Man imageDaniel Craig looking inquisitive as Benoit Blanc in Wake Up Dead Man A Knives Out MysteryDaniel Craig walking in a church as Benoit Blanc as light shines on him through a window in Wake Up Dead Man A Knives Out MysteryJosh O'Connor in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out MysteryGlenn Close screams as Martha Delacroix in Wake Up Dead ManJeremy Renner as Dr. Hart in Wake Up Dead ManAndrew Scott signs books in Wake Up Dead ManDaryl McCormack as Cyd in Wake Up Dead ManDaniel Craig Leaning Up Against a Tree in a Cemetery in Knives Out Wake Up Dead ManClose

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• Josh O'Connor Rev. Jud Duplenticy

Franchise(s) Knives Out Genres Comedy, Drama, Mystery Powered by Expand Collapse

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