Lauren Boebert’s Barbra Streisand, Ryan Reynolds Blame Game Signals Renewed GOP Attacks On Hollywood In 2024

<p>Lauren Boebert, a Republican, has criticised Hollywood by blaming it for forcing her to switch districts in Colorado for her reelection bid. She alleged that Hollywood elites are attempting to purchase her existing district. Boebert’s comments continue a trend of GOP candidates attacking the film industry and its longstanding tradition of primarily supporting Democrats.</p><p>Boebert, speaking to Steve Bannon on his podcast over the weekend, stated that Hollywood talens, such as Barbra Streisand and Ryan Reynolds, had donated to her Democratic rival, insinuating that Hollywood was attempting to infiltrate Congress.</p><p>She was likely referring to Adam Frisch, the former Aspen city councilman, who may have been her Democratic opponent had she run in her initial district. Frisch, who narrowly lost to Boebert in the 2022 midterms, had raised about $8 million through September 2021, significantly more than Boebert. However, she decided to switch from Colorado’s 3rd district to its 4th last week, as the new district is more Republican-leaning.</p><p>Boebert suggested to Bannon that her decision to switch districts will limit the "dark money" that had been funneled into her district to secure the seat for the Democrats. Both Reynolds and Streisand had made $1,000 contributions to Frisch’s campaign last spring, along with other Hollywood celebrities like Rob Reiner, Tony Shalhoub, and Richard Kind.</p><p>However, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, as of Sept. 30, Frisch had only received $75,583 from the entertainment industry— a notable amount, but only a small percentage of his total fundraising.</p><p>Boebert's strategy of pointing fingers at Hollywood for financially backing her competitors is a well-worn Republican tactic. It has successfully drawn media attention and furthered the 'us vs. them' culture war narrative. Boebert, in her new traditional Republican-leaning district, is facing a diverse field of GOP candidates and is hoping this anti-Hollywood sentiment helps her stand out.</p><p>It's worth noting, however, that Boebert also took contributions from celebrity figures outside her district, including Jenny Craig in 2020, and John Malone of Liberty Media. Both donors, though not Hollywood elites, could still be categorized as elites in their own domains.</p>