Hollywood loves a larger-than-life action hero, and Alan Ritchson fits the mold perfectly. With his towering presence, sculpted physique, and ability to look intimidating while barely moving a muscle, he’s become the go-to tough guy.
But beyond the on-screen brawls and brooding stares, Ritchson has a personality that’s as sharp as his jawline. He’s got opinions, he’s got wit, and, as it turns out, he’s also got a low tolerance for political nonsense.
While most actors play it safe when it comes to political opinions, lest they alienate a fanbase or accidentally tweet themselves into irrelevance, Ritchson isn’t afraid to speak his mind. And when it comes to his former schoolmate Matt Gaetz, well, let’s just say he’s not sending a Christmas card anytime soon.
Alan Ritchson vs. Matt Gaetz
In a recent interview with GQ, Alan Ritchson didn’t mince words about Gaetz, calling out the Florida congressman for, well, being not a good dude. And let’s be honest, when a guy who can’t be held by cuffs calls you out, you take notice.
Ritchson, who hails from the same Florida Panhandle region as Gaetz, seems genuinely perplexed by his old schoolmate’s political staying power. In his interview he said,
That m*therfu*ker. We are adversaries. It’s shocking to me that the panhandle of Florida continues to vote for somebody—knowing everything we know about him and the promises that he’s made behind closed doors about pardoning certain criminals—he’s just not a good dude!
He went on to express his frustration over Gaetz’s shady promises of pardons and his general lack of, you know, decency. But what’s even more interesting? Ritchson has considered stepping into the political ring himself. Imagine that. A guy who can play Reacher with the same level of menace as a great white shark considering a run for office? That’s a campaign ad waiting to happen.
Alas, politics is a dirty game, and Ritchson knows it. A rare moment of self-awareness from a Hollywood star who understands that playing an action hero and being an action hero are two very different things.
Alan Ritchson is a hero for the screen, not the senate
While the idea of an Alan Ritchson political campaign is undeniably entertaining, he knows the system is built for people who play the game, and he’s not interested in the backstabbing, double-dealing, and endless handshaking. In his own words,
I’m not duplicitous enough to succeed in politics. There are certain people that do a good job of staying true to who they are, but they’re ineffective. I think Bernie Sanders is a hero. But it’s like, what has he accomplished?
Yes, that Bernie Sanders, the Vermont senator. It’s a rare moment where an action star acknowledges that punching the bad guys in the face isn’t how real-world battles are won. Unfortunate, really, because who wouldn’t love to see Ritchson deliver a well-placed roundhouse kick to corruption?
So while Ritchson may never throw his hat into the political ring, we can take comfort in knowing that he’s out there, saying what we’re all thinking, only with way better abs and a more menacing stare.
And if nothing else, we can always dream of a world where he and Gaetz settle their differences the old-fashioned way, in a high-stakes, one-on-one, bare-knuckle brawl. Now that’s a political debate we’d all tune in for.
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