Woody Harrelson's "Brutal" Trump Dinner: He Needed A Break! 🤯

Miss Annalise Goldner 31 May 2025

Ever wondered what it's like to dine with a future president before they occupied the Oval Office? Woody Harrelson's experience paints a vivid, and apparently unbearable, picture of an evening with Donald Trump so intense, it required a herbal escape.

In a recent interview, actor Woody Harrelson recounted a dinner he attended with Donald Trump over a decade ago, long before Trump's political aspirations fully materialized. Harrelson described the encounter as "brutal," so much so that he had to excuse himself to smoke cannabis. The dinner, which took place in 2002, involved Harrelson, Trump, and former professional wrestler Jesse Ventura. Harrelson shared the anecdote on Marc Maron's "WTF" podcast, offering insights into his interactions with both Trump and Mike Pence before their forays into the political arena. The actor suggested Trump's self-centeredness and what he perceived as a "god complex" made the evening particularly trying.

Category	Information
Full Name	Woodrow Tracy Harrelson
Date of Birth	July 23, 1961
Place of Birth	Midland, Texas, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Actor, Comedian, Activist, Playwright
Years Active	1982–present
Spouse(s)	Nancy Simon (m. 1985; div. 1986) Laura Louie (m. 2008)
Children	3
Notable Work	Cheers, Natural Born Killers, The People vs. Larry Flynt, No Country for Old Men, True Detective, The Hunger Games film series
Awards	Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (1989) Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (2008) Nominated for three Academy Awards
Website	Official Website

Harrelson's candid recollection isn't the first time he's addressed his political views or encounters with political figures. He has often spoken openly about his perspectives, sometimes contrasting with those in Hollywood. His role in HBO's "White House Plumbers," a Watergate thriller, required him to navigate the complexities of portraying a character with differing political leanings. In this series, stories of Howard Hunt are explored.

The actor's experiences and opinions have often intersected with the political landscape. Some have found themselves in disagreement with Harrelson, while others have lauded his courage to speak his mind, regardless of popular opinion. The convergence of entertainment and politics is far from unusual; figures like Kevin Spacey have publicly supported figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., highlighting the role of celebrity endorsements in the political sphere. Meanwhile, other actors have declared their support for Donald Trump as well, illustrating the diversity of political beliefs within the entertainment industry.

Harrelson isn't the only one reflecting on the current political climate. Rob Reiner, for instance, has been vocal about his disapproval of Donald Trump's leadership. This commentary comes at a time when the nation is moving closer to the November elections, where celebrities are increasingly expressing their allegiance to various candidates, including Trump, Biden, and independent contenders like Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Despite not being a fan of Donald Trump, Harrelson doesn't adhere to the typical Hollywood narrative. He remains true to himself, "calling it like he sees it." He has openly shared his thoughts on the state of the country and the unfolding of presidential elections, maintaining an independent perspective. This approach was evident in his hosting gig on "Saturday Night Live," where his monologues and skits, including a cold open that poked fun at Donald Trump, often sparked controversy.

Amidst these political discussions, Harrelson remains active in his acting career. He recently starred alongside Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum in the movie "Fly Me to the Moon." Moreover, Kennedy's supporters include actors Rob Schneider and Woody Harrelson, who narrated a documentary advertisement about the candidate earlier this month.

Harrelson's connection to both Donald Trump and Mike Pence provides a unique glimpse into the pre-political lives of these figures. His anecdote about the "brutal" dinner with Trump, facilitated by Jesse Ventura, underscores the actor's willingness to share his experiences, even when they paint a less-than-flattering picture. Harrelson noted that President Trump dominated the conversation during the dinner.

While actress Susan Sarandon, a known Bernie Sanders advocate, did not endorse Trump, others have publicly announced their intentions to vote for him, driven by diverse motivations. The broader political landscape has also witnessed figures like Utah Jazz legend John expressing their opinions, highlighting the widespread engagement with the electoral process.

The actor's political commentary and anecdotes, like the "brutal" dinner, have become a recurring theme in his public persona. Josh Basham, identifying as a supporter of President Donald Trump, engaged with Harrelson's commentary on social media. Whether it's through interviews, podcasts, or hosting gigs, Woody Harrelson continues to be a voice in the conversation, unafraid to share his perspective, even if it means smoking a little pot to survive a dinner with a future president.

In 2002, about 15 years prior to Trump becoming president, Harrelson was invited to dinner with Donald Trump by Jesse Ventura, and Harrelson noted that evening was brutal. The actor also recalled brushes with Vice President Mike Pence before he became a politician.

Joe Rogan and Woody Harrelson have both been active in expressing their views and engaging in conversations about various topics. Harrelson spoke about his ties to both President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in an interview. While slamming the future president, unlike many of his Hollywood peers, the "Zombieland" actor instead does what he always does: calls it like he sees it.

Woody Harrelson has thought a lot about the political state of the country, and like Woody Harrelson, Woody Harrelson isn't a fan of Donald Trump or the way the presidential election unfolded.

Film and TV in Texas is growing. There's a new movie out called Fly Me to the Moon, which stars Scarlett Johansson, Woody Harrelson, and Channing Tatum. Woody Harrelson and Rob Reiner hold nothing back in their discussions.