Academy Award-winning actor and director Mel Gibson made an off-the-cuff endorsement in the presidential race and criticized Vice President Kamala Harris’s intelligence during a recent conversation with TMZ. As he was entering the Los Angeles International Airport, Gibson was asked for his thoughts on the pivotal election. “I don’t think it’s going to surprise anyone who I vote for,” the Braveheart director replied.
“Well, so, I mean, I’m going to guess… I’m going to guess,” the TMZ reporter followed up while following Gibson and his entourage into the airport. “Trump. Is that a bad guess?” the reporter said, to which Gibson replied, “I think that’s a pretty good guess.” The reporter then asked for Gibson’s thoughts on how a second Trump term would look. “I know what it would be like if we let her in,” Gibson responded. “Well, there’s a miserable track record, appalling track record, no policies to speak of,” he continued, adding: “And she’s got the IQ of a fence post.”
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BREAKING: MEL GIBSON CONFIRMS HE IS VOTING FOR DONALD TRUMP
“SHE’S GOT THE IQ OF A FENCE POST” pic.twitter.com/6fOxh9vWP2
— Jack Poso ?? (@JackPosobiec) October 24, 2024
Gibson, a devout Christian and outspoken critic of left-wing social views has previously shared his support for Trump. An avid combat sports enthusiast, he was spotted saluting the former president as Trump entered UFC 290 in Las Vegas. The Best Picture winner was later seen conversing with Trump, Roger Stone, and Joe Rogan.
For the first time in years, more Americans view Trump favorably than unfavorably—a stark contrast to Harris’s standing and a sign of a potentially positive election night for the Republican. Gallup’s latest survey results show that 50% of Americans now view the former president positively, compared to 48% who do not. This marks a reversal from his 36% approval rating just before the 2016 election when he unexpectedly defeated Hillary Clinton, who at the time was given a 90% chance of winning by the New York Times.
The poll, conducted among national adults from October 1 to October 12, was taken a month after the two candidates met for their only debate and during a tumultuous general election period that has left many Americans feeling pessimistic about both candidates compared to historical standards. Historically, candidates who went on to win the White House have had favorability ratings on Gallup’s “scalometer” closer to 60% or higher. However, this year’s result reflects the ongoing trend of Americans viewing both major party candidates negatively. Despite this, it also marks the highest favorability rating Trump has achieved in his three campaigns.
Thirty-one percent of respondents have a very favorable opinion of Trump, while 19% hold a moderately favorable view. Conversely, 37% consider Trump extremely unfavorable, and 11% find him moderately so. Harris’s numbers are slightly worse: 30% have a highly positive opinion of her, and 34% have a highly negative view. Among those with more moderate feelings about the vice president, 18% lean positive, while 16% lean negative.
Before 2016, no modern presidential candidate had unfavorable ratings exceeding 30%, according to Gallup, with the closest being segregationist third-party candidate George Wallace in 1968 at 32%. Trump has surpassed that threshold in all three of his campaigns, as did Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Harris today. When considering these factors, negative attitudes among voters toward U.S. leadership are at an all-time high.
