Actor Bryan Cranston called for greater civility in today’s political discourse, referencing the 2016 presidential race, in an interview with CNN’s Ashleigh Banfield Tuesday.
“I want to promulgate the idea that just because someone has a different opinion than yours it does not make them the enemy,” the “Breaking Bad” star said.
“So I will say right here, right now, on national television that I believe Donald Trump loves this country. I truly believe that and I know he does. It’s just that his approach on how to remedy America’s problems differ greatly from what I think should happen.”
The actor, who stars as former President Lyndon B. Johnson in HBO’s upcoming drama, “All the Way,” credited heated rhetoric and close-mindedness for creating gridlock in U.S. politics.
“The polemic nature in politics is tragic in a sense because it has created a condition where nothing is really getting done,” he said.
Cranston said while he disagrees with Trump’s policies, he would be open to having a dialogue with one of his supporters.
“If it didn’t work for them, I support their opinion, as opposed to trying to tell them or change their opinions or tell them they’re wrong. How you feel is how you feel,” Cranston said. “So if I were to meet a Trump supporter, the first thing I would want to discuss is what are the issues that led you to that decision and I want to know about that. And not to make them wrong, but just understand.”
