Current:Home > NewsDick Van Dyke says he 'fortunately' won't be around for Trump's second presidency -AssetPath
Dick Van Dyke says he 'fortunately' won't be around for Trump's second presidency
View
Date:2025-04-19 00:11:54
Dick Van Dyke has some choice words about Donald Trump's second presidential term.
A week after endorsing Trump's opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, the comedy legend replied succinctly to a paparazzo's question of whether the president-elect "is capable of making America great again."
"Fortunately, I won't be around to experience the four years," Van Dyke said in a video shared by the Daily Mail, which showed "The Dick Van Dyke Show" star leaving a car with wife Arlene Silver. The actor turns 99 next month on Dec. 13.
When asked whether America's future looks "bright," Van Dyke replied: "I hope you're right."
On Nov. 4, the day before the election, Van Dyke made a rare social media appearance to announce he was backing Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate. The caption of his post read, "VOTE!!! @kamalaharris @vp @kamalahq."
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
In the video, he recited "The Twilight Zone" creator Rod Sterling's "A Most Non-Political Speech," explaining that "I think it means as much today, if not more, than it did then."
"Hatred is not the norm. Prejudice is not the norm. Suspicion, dislike, jealousy, scapegoating, none of those are the transcendent facet of the human personality. They're diseases," Van Dyke read. "They are the cancers of the soul. They are the infectious and contagious viruses that have been breeding humanity for years. And because they have been and because they are, is it necessary that they shall be? I think not."
He continued reading from the speech: "To those who tell us that the inequality of the human animal is a necessary evil, we must respond by simply saying that first, it is evil, but it's not necessary. We prove it by reaffirming our faith. We prove it by having faith in our affirmations."
He added: "Let us be ashamed to live without that victory."
After reading from the speech, Van Dyke added that "a lot's happened" since 1964, and "not as much as Martin Luther dreamed of, but it's a start."
'I've been very lucky':Dick Van Dyke says he's 'lazy' despite over 60-year career
Van Dyke previously read the speech at a 1964 Religious Witness for Human Dignity event, nearly a year after King gave his "I Have A Dream" speech.
Earlier this year, the "Mary Poppins" star made history as the oldest winner of a Daytime Emmy. He took home a trophy for his guest appearance on "Days of Our Lives."
Read about the celebrities you love: Sign up for USA TODAY's Everyone's Talking newsletter.
Contributing: Taijuan Moorman
veryGood! (3)
Related
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- The Solid-State Race: Legacy Automakers Reach for Battery Breakthrough
- Arkansas Gov. Sanders signs a law that makes it easier to employ children
- Fox News Reveals New Host Taking Over Tucker Carlson’s Time Slot
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- Racial bias in home appraising prompts changes in the industry
- Louisiana university bars a graduate student from teaching after a profane phone call to a lawmaker
- Will the Democrats’ Climate Legislation Hinge on Carbon Capture?
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Alaska man inadvertently filmed own drowning with GoPro helmet camera — his body is still missing
Ranking
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- Habitat Protections for Florida’s Threatened Manatees Get an Overdue Update
- Scammers use AI to mimic voices of loved ones in distress
- Super PAC supporting DeSantis targets Trump in Iowa with ad using AI-generated Trump voice
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- Racial bias often creeps into home appraisals. Here's what's happening to change that
- Judge agrees to loosen Rep. George Santos' travel restrictions around Washington, D.C.
- 16 Michigan residents face felony charges for fake electors scheme after 2020 election
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
The Fires That Raged on This Greek Island Are Out. Now Northern Evia Faces a Long Road to Recovery
U of Michigan president condemns antisemitic vandalism at two off-campus fraternity houses
An Oil Industry Hub in Washington State Bans New Fossil Fuel Development
Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
Michigan Supreme Court expands parental rights in former same-sex relationships
On U.S. East Coast, Has Offshore Wind’s Moment Finally Arrived?
Alix Earle and NFL Player Braxton Berrios Spotted Together at Music Festival