Clint Eastwood's GOP Speech: President Obama, Celebs React to Star's Chair-Talking Ad-Libbing

Oscar winner raises eyebrows with curious convention spiel in which he talked to an empty seat containing an invisible Prez

By Alexis L. Loinaz Aug 31, 2012 2:48 PMTags
Clint EastwoodMark Wilson/Getty Images

Clint Eastwood caused a sensation with his surprise appearance at the Republican National Convention Thursday night.

But his head-scratching speech didn't seem to make everyone's day.

The Oscar winner took the stage in Tampa and began talking to an empty chair, pretending that an invisible Barack Obama was sitting there as he unloaded his frustrations about the president's policies and track record. (The chair has now even spurred its own Twitter feed.)

Celebs quickly sounded off on the 82-year-old's ad-libbing spree, beginning with none other than the target of Eastwood's piercing barbs: President Obama himself.

Twitter

"This seat's taken," Obama tweeted shortly afterward and attached a photo showing the back of his noggin as he sat in a chair bearing the nameplate: "The President."

He wasn't the only one to weigh in on Eastwood's tirade.

Adam Levine: "Clint Eastwood has gone f--kin nutterbutters yo."

Snoop Dogg: "I love eastwood. But on some real s--t he need 2 sit his old ass down! That s--t was funny talking 2 a chair! He need to b n a wheelchair!"

Roger Ebert: "Clint, my hero, is coming across as sad and pathetic. He didn't need to do this to himself. It's unworthy of him."

Zachary Quinto: "Is clint eastwood meant to instill confidence in republicans?! I am legitimately scared of his talking to imaginary Obama."

Simon Pegg: "Maybe Clint is a sleeper agent for the Democrats sent in under deep cover to make the Republicans look stupid. No wait, that's Romney."

Bill Maher: "Wow. Who knew Clint Eastwood was such a down the line rightwing a--hole?"

Zach Braff: "Still can't tell if Clint was hallucinating or President is really invisible now."

Seth Myers: "When Clint woke up this morning he saw that Obama was gone from the chair...Or was he still there!?!?!"

George Takei: "Clint Eastwood's RNC speech was to imaginary Obama in an empty chair. I'm drafting a DNC speech to imaginary Romney in an empty factory."

Roseanne Barr: "Clint eastwood is CRAY."

Mia Farrow: "What WAS that thing Clint Eastwood just did? How could they let it happen?"

Piers Morgan: " Still reeling from that #Clint performance - sooooooooo weird."

Patton Oswalt: "I love you, Clint. I always will. But you changed the theme of the RNC from "WE BUILT THIS" to "I CAN'T WATCH THIS".

Tom Brokaw: "Clint Eastwood became huge star as a man of few words As a surprise guest on the Tampa stage he had too many words (I say as a friend)."

Others, however, have come to Eastwood's defense.

Mitt Romney's campaign issued a statement that read: "Judging an American icon like Clint Eastwood through a typical political lens doesn't work. His ad-libbing was a break from all the political speeches, and the crowd enjoyed it. He rightly pointed out that 23 million Americans out of work or underemployed is a national disgrace and it's time for a change."

And during an appearance on CBS This Morning on Friday, Ann Romney pulled for the Hollywood legend, saying, "We appreciated Clint's support and he's a unique guy and he did a unique thing last night."

Um, unique indeed.