Stars’ politics eye as Trump team mulled ads to fight COVID
WASHINGTON — A now-canceled $250 million anti-coronavirus ad campaign by the Trump administration was so politically motivated it screened possible celebrity spokespeople based on their support for the president and their liberal ideology, according to documents released Thursday by the House Oversight Committee.
The campaign has been shelved while the Department of Health and Human Services reviews allegations of impropriety linked to the effort.
But a “PSA Celebrity Tracker” document released by the committee that was updated as recently as Oct. 23 lists some 274 celebrities who were considered for inclusion.
It notes not just the usual red flags such as run-ins with the law, but also the political leanings of the potential high-profile participants, including how they feel about Trump.
For instance, Jennifer Lopez “Made a political statement during her Super Bowl performance to address Trump’s immigration policies.”
Beyonce “Has a net rating of 63% favorable among Democrats and -3% among [Republicans].”
Russell Simmons was “accused of sexual assault by 20 women; stated that Trump is the epitome of white supremacy.”
Jack Black “Used his Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony to speak out against Trump in 2018,” and was “known to be a classic Hollywood Liberal,” according to the document.
Sarah Silverman is a “Liberal Democrat; supports gay marriage and is an environmentalist and animal rights activist.”
Margaret Cho is an “open Bernie and Hillary supporter; accused Trump and Ted Cruz of being guilty of sexism, homophobia, and racism.”
Billie Eilish “made a political statement on gun control in 2019; will be a first-time voter in 2020,” and is “not a Trump supporter, stated she ‘is destroying our country and everything we care about.’”
The vetting list even included actor Alec Baldwin: “Arrested in 2018 due to assault; Democrat and endorsed Obama in his two presidential campaigns, serves on the board of People for the American Way; animal rights activist.”
The Oversight Committee launched the probe after Politico revealed at the end of August that HHS was launching the pre-election campaign to “defeat despair and inspire hope.”