‘Terrifier 3’ director Damien Leone addresses star’s anti-Trump views: “Sometimes harsh”

"I did not get into filmmaking to become a politician" The post ‘Terrifier 3’ director Damien Leone addresses star’s anti-Trump views: “Sometimes harsh” appeared first on NME.

Feb 5, 2025 - 03:35
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‘Terrifier 3’ director Damien Leone addresses star’s anti-Trump views: “Sometimes harsh”

Damien Leone

After Terrifier 3 actor David Thornton Howard spoke out against US President Donald Trump and his supporters on social media, director Damien Leone has responded.

Howard, who plays Art the Clown in the movie, has been a critic of Trump and his adviser, Elon Musk, on Threads. His comments have involved accusing the President of being on the verge of starting World War 3, while Lauren LaVera, who plays Sienna Shaw, has also criticised Trump.

Howard urged Tesla, of which Musk is CEO, to “oust him,” accused Trump of having made the US “less safe,” and made comparisons between the US in 2025 and 1930s Germany.

In his most recent Threads post, he wrote: “I’m ok. Just taking a mental break from the ensuing madness of the world right now. Thanks for the support.”

David Howard Thornton and Damien Leone attend 'Terrifier 3' New York Premiere at Regal Union Square on October 8, 2024 in New York City
David Howard Thornton and Damien Leone attend ‘Terrifier 3’ New York Premiere at Regal Union Square on October 8, 2024 in New York City. CREDIT: Santiago Felipe/Getty Images

His remarks have proved controversial, attracting criticism from Trump supporters. And following both his and LaVera’s comments, Leone wrote in a statement: “As most of you know, some of my cast and crew members have a very passionate political presence on social media with extreme and sometimes harsh opinions which is their right. I’m all for freedom of speech and expression.

“That being said, Terrifier is NOT in any way shape or form a political franchise. I did not get into filmmaking to become a politician or promote any political agendas or ideologies, especially through a killer clown movie. I fell in love with horror movies as a form of pure entertainment and those are the films I like to make.”