Alan Ritchson, star of Amazon Prime’s hit series “Reacher,” has sparked a heated debate after sharply criticizing Donald Trump and his Christian supporters. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter earlier this month, the actor questioned how believers could back the former president despite his record and behavior.
“Christians today have become the most vitriolic tribe,” Ritchson said. He described himself as a follower of Jesus, but he said that the current tone of many religious groups does not reflect that faith.
During the interview, he added, “Trump is a rapist and a con man. And yet the entire Christian church seems to treat him like he’s their poster child and it’s unreal. I don’t understand it.” His blunt comments quickly spread across social media, igniting reactions from both critics and supporters.
The remarks were not widely noticed by conservatives until Trump Cabinet alum Sebastian Gorka highlighted them on his radio program “America First” last week. Gorka, a loyal Trump backer, told the actor to “shut your pie hole” when it comes to political views and to “keep doing your play acting.”
Many Trump supporters expressed outrage online, some promising to boycott “Reacher.” The show, based on the bestselling novels by Lee Child, follows a former Army officer who roams the country fighting injustice. Its tough, no-nonsense hero has attracted a devoted fan base, which now appears divided over the actor’s political comments.
On the other side, many praised Ritchson for speaking his mind. Critics of Trump argued that the actor’s honesty reflects the kind of moral clarity they believe is lacking from other public figures. Supporters shared posts online, applauding him for pointing out what they see as hypocrisy among religious Trump backers.
The controversy comes as “Reacher” continues to enjoy major success for Amazon. The show debuted its second season last December, hitting No. 2 on Nielsen’s overall streaming chart. Viewers logged more than 1.2 billion minutes, showing its strong appeal despite competing programs.
Reacher dislikes bullies, bigots, frauds, and con men. Of course he’s Never Trump. https://t.co/XDvppUO68b
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) April 15, 2024
High-profile figures also weighed in. Conservative commentator Bill Kristol wrote, “Reacher dislikes bullies, bigots, frauds, and con men. Of course he’s Never Trump.” Other posts noted the irony of seeing photos of Ritchson alongside Trump, with some joking they feared they would have to stop watching the series.
Writer and comedian Frank Conniff said that Ritchson voiced words that mainstream outlets should have been repeating daily. Author Brian O’Sullivan, who admitted he had not heard of the actor before, praised the sharp critique as “a beautiful takedown of Trump.”
Even comparisons with other celebrities appeared online. Some users contrasted Ritchson with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who often avoids politics. One viral post said, “The Rock refuses to take a stance on anything, meanwhile Jack Reacher over here is going scorched earth on MAGA crowds, Trump, and the police force. This is what a real tough guy looks like.”
Ritchson, known for his muscular on-screen presence and direct style, has not yet responded to the backlash. His words have, however, injected new energy into the ongoing debate over Trump’s place in American politics and religion.
The clash reflects a larger divide within conservative culture. Trump retains strong support among white evangelicals, who remain one of his most loyal bases. At the same time, many Christians and moderates criticize that support, pointing to his behavior, legal problems, and inflammatory rhetoric.
With “Reacher” riding high in popularity, it is not clear whether boycotts will have any real effect. Streaming hits often survive political storms, especially when backed by large platforms like Amazon. For now, the uproar has put Ritchson in the spotlight, ensuring his words will be remembered in the broader conversation about Trump, faith, and entertainment, according to HuffPost.
