Trump Aide Slams Hollywood After Anti-ICE Protest at Golden Globes

A senior aide to President Donald Trump lashed out at Hollywood on Monday after several celebrities used the 2026 Golden Globes to protest U.S. immigration enforcement.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung fired back at actors who criticized the Trump administration and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), singling out Mark Ruffalo for especially harsh remarks.

Cheung responded on X after Ruffalo called Trump “the worst human being,” launching a personal attack on the actor and mocking his acting career. In his post, Cheung dismissed Ruffalo as “one of the worst actors in the business” and accused him of spreading “outright lies.”

Ruffalo, who was nominated for Best Actor in a Television Series, Drama for his role in Task, made the comments while attending the Golden Globes on Sunday night at the Beverly Hilton. He was among several stars who wore “Be Good” and “ICE Out” pins on the red carpet as a form of protest.

Speaking during a red carpet interview with USA TODAY, Ruffalo said the pins were worn in memory of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother who was shot and killed in Minneapolis. The shooting was reportedly linked to ICE agent Jonathan Ross.

“This is for Renee Nicole Good, who was murdered,” Ruffalo said. He also criticized Trump’s foreign policy and questioned the president’s respect for international law, calling Trump a “convicted felon” and saying the country should not be relying on his moral judgment.

“He’s the worst human being,” Ruffalo added. “If we’re relying on this guy’s morality for the most powerful country in the world, then we’re all in a lot of trouble.”

Ruffalo said the protest was also meant to stand with people in the United States who feel frightened by current immigration policies. “I love this country,” he said. “And what I’m seeing here happening is not America.”

Other celebrities joined the protest, including comedian Wanda Sykes, singer Ariana Grande, actor Natasha Lyonne, and actress Jean Smart. All wore the pins to honor Good and to signal opposition to what they described as the administration’s harsh immigration stance.

The exchange highlighted growing tensions between the Trump White House and Hollywood figures who continue to use major award shows as platforms for political protest.