What’s that we hear? A celebrity controversy? Hold on, what did Scarlett Johansson say? Shockingly, the arbiter of arboriculture is one of the only celebrities not to get wrapped up in Ellen DeGeneres’s mess of an appearance. After the talk-show host was photographed smiling with former President George W. Bush at a Dallas Cowboys game, she released a clip congratulating herself for being able to keep the good vibes going for the comfort of all of their rich friends. “I’m friends with George Bush, in fact, I’m friends with a lot of people who don’t share the same beliefs that I have,†she said on her show earlier this week. “We’re all different, and I think that we’ve forgotten that that’s okay that we’re all different.â€
Any person who remembers the early aughts was confused, citing a diverse array of war crimes and bigotry from Bush’s presidency (the Iraq War! Homophobia! Slow to aid after Hurricane Katrina! Etc.!). Ellen’s celebrity BFFs came to her side, proud of her for reaching across party lines and over the bodies of dead civilians. Maybe she does yoga to work on that stretch. Here’s a roundup of all the celebrities who have taken Ellen’s side, those who can remember 2001, and those who needed someone else to be like, “You know we’re still in the Iraq War, right?â€
Supporters
Deleters
(For what it’s worth, Reese Witherspoon hasn’t deleted her comment on Ellen’s Instagram post.)
Critics
Update, October 14, 1 p.m.: Looks like Elton John, of all people, has waded into this mess. During an interview on NPR, John offered his unprompted take on the controversy and voiced his support for both Degeneres and Bush, saying, “Unfortunately, what our democracy has become now is that it’s not okay to have different opinions than yours and that is not healthy.â€