David Lynch back-pedals on Trump comments

Team Udayavani, Jun 27, 2018, 3:28 PM IST

Los Angeles: Filmmaker David Lynch has walked back his complimentary comments about Donald Trump in a Facebook post where he called out the US president for “causing suffering and division”. In an interview with The Guardian, Lynch had said that Trump could go down as ‘one of the greatest presidents in history’. 

Trump had promptly tweeted a link of conservative website Breibart article which led with the director’s remarks about Trump. The president even went on to speak about Lynch’s comments at a rally. The director, however, clarified that his remarks were taken “a bit out of context”.

“Dear Mr. President, This is David Lynch writing. I saw that you re-tweeted the Breitbart article with the heading Director David Lynch: Trump Could Go Down as One of the Greatest Presidents in History.’ I wish you and I could sit down and have a talk. This quote which has traveled around was taken a bit out of context and would need some explaining,” the “Twin Peaks” director wrote.

“Unfortunately, if you continue as you have been, you will not have a chance to go down in history as a great president. This would be very sad it seems for you and for the country. You are causing suffering and division,” Lynch said, possibly hinting at Trump’s controversial family separation policy at the border, which was put on hold after severe criticism from around the globe.

Lynch ended his post on a positive note, saying it was not too late “to turn the ship around”.  “Point our ship toward a bright future for all. You can unite the country. Your soul will sing. Under great loving leadership, no one loses everybody wins. It’s something I hope you think about and take to heart. All you need to do is treat all the people as you would like to be treated.” 

In The Guardian interview, Lynch had said that Trump “could go down as one of the greatest presidents in history because he has disrupted the thing so much. No one is able to counter this guy in an intelligent way.”  “Our so-called leaders can’t take the country forward, can’t get anything done. Like children, they are. Trump has shown all this.