SAG Awards: Acting Out Against Trump

Whenever Hollywood honors itself, one thing is certain — the tedious political punditry will flow.

Thanks to Meryl Streep’s hyper-political blasting of President Donald Trump at the recent Golden Globes, Hollywood’s elite are having a meltdown. Sunday night’s Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony was no different.

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Telecast on TNT and TBS live from the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles, the SAG Awards went political within seconds of the opening moments.

“Scandal’s” Kerry Washington kicked off the ceremony from her seat in the audience as she looked into the camera and said, “A lot of people are saying right now that actors shouldn’t express their opinions when it comes to politics. But the truth is, no matter what, actors are activists because we embody the humanity and worth of all people. This union helps me to do that.”

Then, right behind her, actor Ashton Kutcher welcomed the audience from the stage with a passionate stance on Trump’s executive order to temporarily ban refugees from a handful of terrorist-hotbed countries.

Related: Clemson QB vs. Meryl Streep – Grace vs. Disgrace

“Fellow SAG-AFTRA members and everyone at home, and everyone in airports that belong in my America!” he exclaimed to cheers and applause. “You are a part of the fabric of who we are, and we love you and we welcome you. And we also welcome you to the 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.”

If you thought Hollywood was done going full Meryl Streep — this bunch were just getting started.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, a star of “Veep” and the night’s first award winner — for Outstanding Role by a Female in a Comedy Series — began her speech with a joke about Russian hacking, then went head-on into the issue of immigration.

“I want you all to know that I’m the daughter of an immigrant. My father fled religious persecution in Nazi-occupied France. And I’m an American patriot and love this country,” she said. “Because I love this country, I am horrified by its blemishes and this immigrant ban is a blemish and it’s un-American.”

William H. Macy followed up in his acceptance speech for Best Male Actor in a Comedy Series for his portrayal of loudmouth drunk Frank Gallagher on Showtime’s “Shameless” — by thanking the president in the most backhanded way.

“I would like to go against the stream this evening and thank President Trump for making Frank Gallagher seem so normal,” Macy told the audience.

“Moonlight” actor Mahershala Ali took on “persecution” and talked about his conversion to Islam during his award acceptance of Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in Film.

The cast of “Orange Is the New Black” won the SAG award for best comedy ensemble — and they slammed Trump as being divisive on the issue of immigration by talking about their diverse cast.

“We’d like to say that we stand up here representing a diverse group of people, representing generations of families who have sought a better life here from places like Nigeria, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Ireland,” said star Taylor Schilling. “We know it’s going to be up to us and all of you to keep telling stories that show what unites us is stronger than the forces that are trying to divide us.”

Related: A Letter to Meryl Streep

During his win for the role of President Lyndon B. Johnson in HBO’s “All the Way,” actor Bryan Cranston gave some advice to President Trump.

“I’m often asked how would Lyndon Johnson think about Donald Trump. And I honestly feel that 36 would put his arm around 45 and earnestly wish him success. He would also whisper in his ear something he said often as a form of encouragement — and a cautionary tale — ‘just don’t p*** in the soup that all of us have got to eat,'” quipped Cranston.

Comedian and actress Lily Tomlin took Streep’s cue of using her Lifetime Achievement Award as an opportunity to get political and preachy. She joked about “alternative facts” and “fake news.” The 77-year-old actress closed her comments with, “I feel like I’m just getting started. What signs should I make for the next march? So much to do. Global warming. Standing Rock, LGBT issues. Chinese missiles. Immigration.”

Actor John Lithgow added one of the more nauseating moments in enabling Meryl Streep’s ego by lauding her past speech during his win for Best Male Actor in a Drama Series.

“And an underrated actress who somehow managed to speak my exact thoughts three weeks ago in another awards ceremony, and that is Meryl Streep. Thank you so much,” Lithgow told Streep from the stage.

Related: The Meryl Streep Rant That Stopped the Globes

David Harbour, star of “Stranger Things,” took his time on stage as an opportunity to give a suggestively political passionate speech as well: “We will repel bullies, we will shelter freaks and outcasts, we will get past the lies, we will hunt monsters, and when we are lost, we will punch some people in the face, and we will do it all with soul, with heart and with joy.”

Some presenters were more careful and remained apolitical.

Rapper, actor, and SAG award presenter Common surprisingly held back on his political statements.

“Well, if I say what I’m thinking, I’m risking a Twitter war, so I’ll just say they’re the characters played by the brilliant men nominated for Male Actor in a Drama Series,” he told the crowd.

When given a stage and a microphone — and the attention of celebrity lovers everywhere — Hollywood simply could not resist the urge to lecture Americans about our new president. The elites clearly learned nothing but that Meryl Steep was more celebrated in their inner circle for her recent speech. They forget their popularity still depends on Trump supporters and those who are legitimately concerned about the increasing threat of terrorism coming to our homeland.

It was clear they felt they had to preach down to America once again rather than giving us a break from their divisive rhetoric. Yet another awards show was less about art and creativity — and more about political talking points.