Go ahead and try to make his day by bringing up that empty chair: Clint Eastwood couldn’t care less.
“If somebody’s dumb enough to ask me to go to a political convention and say something, they’re going to have to take what they get,” the 82-year-old star told Extra earlier this week about his now-infamous August 30 Republican National Convention appearance, during which he addressed an invisible Barack Obama “seated” next to him.
Eastwood explained himself further to Ellen DeGeneres during a Tuesday sit-down with the comedienne.
“The Democrats who were watching thought I was going senile. And the Republicans knew I was!” joked the legendary actor and director.
Eastwood also seized the opportunity to clarify his political views — he’s not a Republican or a Democrat, but a Libertarian.
Explaining that fiscal responsibility is what matters most to him, the San Francisco native said his views also extend to social issues, too; Eastwood revealed he takes issue with any government interference in citizens’ personal lives, including attempts to define marriage, same sex or otherwise, through legislation.
Said the Gran Torino star, “[It’s] a part of the Libertarian idea: Leave everybody alone!”
Later in the show, DeGeneres and Eastwood took a break from talking politics to discuss Mrs. Eastwood and Company, a reality show focused on Eastwood’s wife, Dina, and daughters Francesca, 19, and Morgan, 16.
When asked how he feels about the series, Eastwood said he “doesn’t feel much.”
“If they want to do a reality show, that’s fine,” the notoriously private star shared. “My only request was to please leave me out of it as much as possible!”
