Justine Bateman Expresses Optimism After Trump’s Victory, Criticizes Recent Era for Suppressing Free Speech
Justine Bateman, the acclaimed actress and filmmaker, expressed a sense of optimism for the future following President-elect Donald Trump’s historic victory, describing it as a turning point that lifted a “suffocating cloud” over the country.
“I feel good. I feel great, in fact,” Bateman told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. “It felt like there was this kind of suffocating cloud that was kind of over us… Regular people who had questions about decisions that were being made were subtly or obviously threatened into silence. And I feel like that’s been broken.”
Best known for her role as Mallory Keaton on the hit 1980s sitcom Family Ties, Bateman recently went viral for calling the past few years “a very un-American period” for free expression. She argued that only “permitted positions” were allowed, stifling open dialogue.
“My belief is that everyone should be free to live their life exactly how they want to live it, but not impinging on somebody else’s ability to also live their life as freely as they want to live it,” Bateman stated. “What was un-American about the last four years or longer is that one could not even ask a question about something. One could not even engage in a debate about things like trans women playing in sports, or being in women’s locker rooms, bathrooms, or prisons. And to not allow the public to freely engage about the benefits and dangers of these types of decisions, I think that is un-American.”
Bateman emphasized the importance of allowing diverse perspectives. “The idea that you had to subscribe to a certain view or risk having your career destroyed, or being socially ostracized, is deeply troubling,” she said.
Though Bateman doesn’t align herself with any political party, she expressed a favorable view of Trump’s team, particularly Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his stance on health and environmental issues, as well as Elon Musk’s efforts to improve government efficiency. She noted their “strong position” on free speech, which resonated with her values.
“I’m just one person, this is just my experience. And if someone has a different experience, that is also valid,” Bateman added. “There’s room for all experiences, all opinions, all thoughts. That’s my point. And it’s the American way. We Americans are going to preserve that—the right to express yourself without impinging on others.”
Bateman also highlighted economic concerns as a key factor in her vote. “The economy has gone out of control,” she said. “The amount of money we printed… anybody who’s ever sat in the first week of an Econ 101 class learns the lesson of Venezuela. I’m baffled that a group of adults would just start printing such volumes of money and think there wouldn’t be consequences.”
In addition to her work in filmmaking, Bateman is the leader of The CREDO23 Council, a group of industry professionals focused on combating Hollywood’s increasing reliance on artificial intelligence. The council plans to host its first film festival in the spring, showcasing films that do not use generative AI.