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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Inga Parkel

Brian Cox rails against Trump and America’s ‘insidious’ patriarchy in blunt new interview

In true Brian Cox fashion, the Scottish actor unleashed a no-holds-barred takedown of President Donald Trump and the patriarchy in a new interview.

The 79-year-old Succession star is not one to mince his words — and he certainly did not hold back when speaking to The Times of London to promote his directorial debut, Glenrothan.

Criticizing what he called the “invasive” and “insidious” patriarchy in the United States, Cox argued that more women should be in political power.

“I think it’s an economic thing. In America they don’t like women. They won’t let a woman be president, not in the foreseeable future,” he said, citing Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential loss to Trump.

“The patriarchy is so invasive and so insidious, it’s hard to throw it off. I think the patriarchy is a f***ing mess, and it’s the patriarchy that got us into the position that we’re in at the moment, and we don’t learn the lessons,” Cox continued. “I say, give it over to the women.”

Turning his attention to Trump, Cox declared that the president “doesn’t give a s*** about the people. He’s only interested in the oil.”

“There’s just sheer f***ing greed motivating him, nothing else. The idea he’s liberating people is a nonsense. And it’s that greed that sort of permeates through society,” he added.

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

Cox is well-known for speaking his mind. On numerous occasions, he has offered critical assessments of several former collaborators, including 25th Hour co-star Edward Norton, whom he once labeled “a pain in the arse”; Iron Will co-star Kevin Spacey, whom he has called “a stupid, stupid man”; and King Lear co-star Ian McKellen, whose acting he has said is “not to my taste.”

Asked by The Times whether his bluntness has ever cost him friendships or caused problems, Cox laughed: “Well, I don’t know yet if it’s caused me problems. I mean, my wife keeps saying, ‘Brian, be careful. Brian, be careful.’ I think, ‘F*** it, I don’t want to be careful any more! I’ll be 80 this year. F*** it! I’m gonna say what I want to say.’”

The Emmy-winning actor is preparing to release his first directed movie, Glenrothan, a comedy-drama, in which he also stars, alongside Alan Cumming.

Described by Cox as a “love letter to Scotland,” the film centers on Donal (Cumming), who after 35 years in the U.S., returns to his family owned whiskey-distillery in the Scottish Highlands to make amends with his brother, Sandy (Cox).

Glenrothan is out in theaters in the U.K. and Ireland on April 17.

This article has been updated to reflect changes made to the original Times reporting.

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