Josh Brolin Discusses Past Friendship, Calls Trump a Marketing Genius

Josh Brolin recently reflected on his past friendship with Donald Trump, noting that the former president was “a different guy” before his time in office. Brolin’s relationship with Trump developed around the filming of the 2010 movie, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, although Trump was ultimately removed from the film’s final cut.

Brolin’s Perspective on Trump’s Marketing Genius

Brolin described Trump as having unmatched marketing acumen. “There is no greater genius than him in marketing,” Brolin stated. He believes Trump has effectively connected with voters by appealing to their need for validation, filling a gap in the general populace’s emotional landscape.

Recollections of Their Friendship

The actor emphasized that his familiarity with Trump before he became president gives him unique insight. Brolin expressed that he was not intimidated by Trump, even in light of Trump’s allusions to a potential third presidential term.

• Brolin’s fondness for Trump’s earlier ventures, like developing a luxury hotel in the late 1970s, highlights his interest in Trump’s business instincts.
• He noted, “Now it’s power unmitigated — it’s unregulated.” This observation reflects Brolin’s complicated feelings towards Trump’s trajectory.
• Despite their past connection, Brolin publicly denounced Trump’s 2020 presidential bid in October of that year, stating that Trump did not represent the essence of American masculinity.

Insights into Their Encounter

Brolin shared an amusing anecdote from his time visiting Trump’s New York apartment. He recalled a somewhat awkward exchange when he asked to see upstairs, which led to a prolonged, silent standoff. “What the f— is happening?” he thought at that moment.

Brolin’s Current Projects

In addition to discussing his past with Trump, Brolin is enjoying a busy period in his career. He currently stars in The Running Man and Wake Up Dead Man. Both films are being showcased in theaters now, while he also features in Weapons, available for streaming on HBO Max. Furthermore, he lent his voice to Ken Burns’ documentary series, The American Revolution, airing on PBS.