It's been fifteen years since the end of The West Wing, but for a certain subset of people, when they hear Martin Sheen, they think "Mr. President." At the same time, there's another subset of people who think the same thing when they hear the name "Trump."
Now, these two mindsets are clashing, as Sheen has made some very unflattering comments about the time Donald Trump spent as President of the United States.
A clip was shared to Twitter, where it quickly became a popular topic of discussion.
I asked 80-year-old Martin Sheen yesterday for his personal thoughts on the political climate in America today and his response absolutely blew me away. \n\nTHIS IS A MUST WATCH. \n\n@BradleyWhitford @AllisonBJanney @Richard_Schiff @RobLowe @NellyMoloney @DuleHill @JoshMalinapic.twitter.com/DS3uNryb0e— Jeff Conway (@Jeff Conway) 1622744055
During the interview by Jeff Conway, a contributor to the entertainment section of Forbes, Sheen spoke about the political climate in America today.
Sheen said:
"We're stuck with the lie in the throat, and I think we've got to clear our throats and see through this fog of deception, divisiveness."
"I think we've forgotten something that is a deep part of our humanity, and that is we serve ourselves best when we serve others first."
That second statement was compared to something fictional President Josiah Edward "Jed" Bartlet, Sheen's character on The West Wing, might have said in one of his speeches.
Many online agreed with Sheen's words.
Martin Sheen is expressing true and optimistic thoughts and I thank him for it, but Trump will NEVER man up or admit he lied. When has he ever apologized or admitted wrongdoing? He's not going to change now.https://twitter.com/thetonymichaels/status/1400837864729022464\u00a0\u2026— Barbara Mackie (@Barbara Mackie) 1622923430
Martin your the best !!!https://twitter.com/CalltoActivism/status/1401325751144755205\u00a0\u2026— Scotty (@Scotty) 1622939175
I have gone back and rewatched the series so many times the last 5 years just to calm my nerves and remind myself how our government is supposed to work.— Jami Thomas (@Jami Thomas) 1622865794
Bittersweet, wasn't it? Knowing what it had the potential to be, but derailed by the Trump.— Sis \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Sis \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1622817044
Sheens' speech continued taking aim at the previous President's administration.
He talked about Trump's election as an error in the character of the country and:
"The worst part of it is that so many good people have followed this bad man and he's a hustler."
Trump is only concerned with himself and led through greed and anger, according to the actor.
Sheen also said while he's a lifelong Democrat, he remembers a time when Republicans and Democrats were held in similar regard, and hopes to return to that place.
People were focused on his take down of Trump.
Words Trump denied from the get go. Church couldn't convince him of it. Neither could anyone or anything else. He serves ONLY himself . Not his wives, not his kids, not his party, not his lovers, not his friends, not his supporters, not his Country. Only himself.— Judy Riggenbach (@Judy Riggenbach) 1622813401
Uh oh! John Voight & Clint Eastwood gonna have angina reading that— Miss'N'Jo (@Miss'N'Jo) 1622970736
Martin Sheen on trump:(He's) a selfish \u201chustler\u201d and a \u201cbum\u201d the country needs to shake off.Can we get an amen p in here?— WylieCat (@WylieCat) 1622840807
Let the record note that Martin Sheen was president longer than Trump. He was also more of a president than Trump ever was.— Sean Seer\u00e4uber (@Sean Seer\u00e4uber) 1622839194
Martin your the best !!!https://twitter.com/CalltoActivism/status/1401325751144755205\u00a0\u2026— Scotty (@Scotty) 1622939175
I think Martin Sheen is being too kind.\nI don't want to get suspended from Twitter so I'll leave it at that— DON - DAYTON (@DON - DAYTON) 1622937071
Wow Martin Sheen just destroyed your Father with simple honesty \nThe sooner the name Trump is put in the garbage the better— Bell Wadron (@Bell Wadron) 1622881304
Trump can't respond to the comments himself on Twitter, as he is still banned from the platform. That doesn't mean he hasn't tried.
Despite attempts to subvert the ban, Trump's access to Twitter, his once favorite platform, still remains out of reach.
@jimmykimmel/Threads 
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social