In February 2026, a 2017 video of actor Woody Harrelson sharply criticizing then-President Donald Trump resurfaced on social media, sparking renewed attention and misunderstanding about the timing of his comments. The viral clip captured Harrelson expressing strong disapproval of Trump at a film premiere in Austin, Texas, during the early months of the president’s first term.
Details Behind the Viral Video’s Resurgence
The clip gaining popularity in 2026 originates from an interview recorded by The Associated Press on October 25, 2017, at the premiere of LBJ, the biographical film about former President Lyndon B. Johnson, in which Harrelson played the lead role. Despite clear information in the original video description noting the date and event, many social media users mistakenly shared and commented on the footage as if it were recent.
Among those amplifying the message was progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen, who posted several of Harrelson’s quotes on Facebook without attaching the video or specifying the interview date. Similarly, the organizations NowThis Impact and Occupy Democrats shared the content—NowThis Impact posted the full video while Occupy Democrats circulated a quote meme with a caption beginning,
“BREAKING: Woody Harrelson just said what millions of Americans have been thinking — and he didn’t hold back.”
None of these posts included the timing of the original remarks, contributing to widespread confusion.
Other individuals shared the clip and quotes across platforms including Facebook and X, often labeling the comments as new or breaking news. Viewer reactions mostly reflected a belief that Harrelson had recently voiced his criticism of Trump, though the comments were, in fact, almost a decade old.
What Harrelson Said About Trump in 2017
In the interview at the LBJ premiere, Harrelson openly criticized then-President Trump, describing his impact on the country’s social climate. He said,
“We have a guy running this country who has unearthed a lot of bigotry and a lot of racism, and it seems to be more virulent than ever. So, yeah, it’s strange how we just, it seems like we’re going backward. And yeah, I wish that there were a way to, I wish there were a way to get rid of that son of a b**** and get in a great president, you know, but it doesn’t seem like that’s going to happen. And I don’t know how much he’s going to continue to foment hatred.”
These remarks reveal his frustration with the direction of the country under Trump’s leadership during that period.
Harrelson’s Encounter with Trump and Connections to Pence
Beyond his 2017 comments, Harrelson shared an experience from 2002 in an Esquire interview published in August 2019. He described attending a “brutal dinner” with Donald Trump, recalling that Trump dominated the conversation to an overwhelming degree. Harrelson explained,
“It got so bad I had to go outside and burn one before returning to the monologue monopoly. Listen, I came up through Hollywood, so I’ve seen narcissists. This guy was beyond. It blew my mind.”
Harrelson also reflected on his college days at Hanover College in Indiana, where he crossed paths with Mike Pence, former Vice President under Trump. Harrelson recalled,
“As a freshman, I gave a sermon to a youth group, and Mike was the guy running the show. He was a junior, I think. … He struck me as a nice guy, very sincere. I don’t know how well we’d get along now, but we got along okay then.”
These anecdotes provide insight into Harrelson’s personal perspective on figures closely linked to Trump’s political sphere.
Impact and Continued Dialogue Around Harrelson’s Comments
The rebroadcast of Harrelson’s 2017 statements in 2026 demonstrates how historical content can rapidly gain traction again in new political contexts, influencing public perception. Many viewers’ belief that the remarks were recent intensified debates and discussions online, highlighting challenges social media faces in verifying the dates and origins of shared material. The spread underscores how past criticisms can resonate anew amid ongoing political discourse.
Requests for comment have been made to Harrelson’s representatives and the parties who posted the clips without contextual dates, but no updates have been released at this time. Observers continue to watch how such viral content influences public opinion and political conversations leading up to upcoming elections.
Woody Harrelson on Trump – "I wish there was a way to get rid of this son of a b*tch" pic.twitter.com/sEDJqtLC69
— Ounka (@OunkaOnX) February 18, 2026
Woody Harrelson, "We have a guy running this country who has unearthed a lot of bigotry, a lot of racism"
"And it seems to be more virulent than ever"
"It seems like we're going backwards"
"I wish there was a way to get rid of that son of a b*tch and get in a great president"… pic.twitter.com/ZlOrpC8bYB
— Farrukh (@implausibleblog) February 16, 2026
