Producer Paul Zaentz Bashes Trump as “Malignant Narcissist, Wannabe Dictator”: Karlovy Vary

July 5, 2025 by No Comments

Producer Paul Zaentz, nephew of the late Saul Zaentz, who co-produced with Michael Douglas the Oscar-winning Miloš Forman drama One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump throughout an look on the 59th version of the Karlovy Vary Worldwide Movie Competition (KVIFF) within the Czech Republic on Saturday.

Showing earlier than a screening of a newly restored model of the 1975 traditional, which grew to become solely the second film to win all 5 main Academy Award classes – greatest image (Douglas and Zaentz), greatest director (Forman), greatest actor (Jack Nicholson), greatest actress (Louise Fletcher), and greatest tailored screenplay (Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman), Zaentz known as Cuckoo’s Nest “a film about riot” and bashed monetary assist for the poor and different Trump insurance policies.

“It’s ironic that … Cuckoo’s Nest has been honored right here on its fiftieth anniversary, and I’m afraid that Ken Kesey’s sensible e book could also be banned within the USA,” he mentioned in feedback made a couple of minutes earlier than Douglas appeared on stage to an enormous ovation.

Zaentz continued: “Yesterday, July 4, the malignant narcissist, wannabe dictator that occupies the White Home signed a invoice that was handed by his merciless, heartless followers to make the wealthy richer and take meals and well being care away from the individuals who want it – a really unhappy July 4 for the USA.” The comment drew applause from the jam-packed auditorium on the Czech competition.

The producer concluded by asking folks exterior the U.S. for endurance. “Don’t quit on America,” Zaentz mentioned. “We will overcome the completely corrupt, morally bankrupt, treasonous, evil factor and his cronies and minions. I’m sure that Miloš would agree with me that Trump is a stain on my nation, and his presidency will probably be regarded upon as the best ethical failure within the historical past of america.”