Tom Selleck’s Stance on Politics Sparks Debate as Tatiana Maslany Says ‘Everything Is Political’

In a commentary piece published by American Thinker, writer Mike McDaniel celebrates actor Tom Selleck for his long-standing refusal to engage in political commentary, contrasting him with other celebrities who, in McDaniel’s view, use their platforms to push ideological agendas. The article, titled “Tom Selleck Gets It Right,” recounts a years-old appearance by Selleck on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, where Selleck reportedly explained that his job was to play characters, not to share political opinions. McDaniel writes that he has purchased every Selleck DVD since.

McDaniel uses Selleck’s stance as a springboard to criticize contemporary entertainers who speak out politically, singling out actress Tatiana Maslany and musician Ed Sheeran. He argues that Selleck’s approach—avoiding alienation of half his potential audience—is largely rejected by today’s celebrities, and that this rejection reflects a broader ideological shift in the entertainment industry.

Maslany’s Argument: ‘Everything Is Political’

Central to the piece is a recent exchange between Maslany and journalist Mehdi Hasan on the Zeteo podcast. According to McDaniel, Hasan asked Maslany about Selleck’s comment that he doesn’t “dabble in politics” because he doesn’t understand why one would want to “piss off half the country if your job is entertaining the country.” Hasan also invoked Michael Jordan’s famous line, “Republicans buy shoes, too,” asking for her response.

Maslany replied, McDaniel writes, by asserting that “all of it is political, like, everything is political.” She elaborated: “Artists are like mirrors to the world, to society. We have to name things — it’s, like, such an important, intrinsic part of our job.” Maslany further insisted that “all entertainment is political, because it has a viewpoint, and it has a perspective. It has visual representation of the world we live in or the kinds of things that are funny or acceptable.”

McDaniel acknowledges that Maslany is correct that politics affects everyone, but he disputes her broader conclusion. He argues that the American Founders designed a constitutional republic to protect citizens from the worst aspects of politics, ensuring it interferes as little as possible with daily life, property, and unalienable rights. In his view, Maslany’s perspective stems from an “our democracy” ethos that treats everything as political—a mindset he characterizes as a steppingstone toward a communist, totalitarian, one-party state where speech and entertainment are only free insofar as they are state-approved.

Sheeran and the ‘Perpetually Aggrieved’

The op-ed also touches on Ed Sheeran, whom McDaniel describes as having shown “remarkable sanity” by firing rapper Macklemore from his tour for allegedly pushing Islamist propaganda instead of performing his opening-act duties. McDaniel claims that “the eternally aggrieved” forced Sheeran to issue a “weepy apology,” and criticizes Sheeran for not understanding that such people cannot be appeased. He similarly criticizes Maslany, noting her role in Marvel’s “She-Hulk” series, which he calls a “debacle.”

McDaniel also briefly mentions Christopher Nolan’s recent film adaptation of The Odyssey, which he says was a commercial success despite some attempts to inject contemporary politics into the ancient story. He credits its success to universal themes—love, family, adventure, heroism, self-sacrifice, hard work, loyalty, dedication, freedom, and accomplishment—that resonate with audiences more than political messaging.

He concludes by stating he will not seek out Maslany’s work but will gladly support Selleck as long as he continues to entertain rather than hector politically. The piece reflects a wider debate about the role of celebrities in political discourse, one that shows no signs of cooling.

Source: www.americanthinker.com — https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/09/politics-tom-selleck-gets-it-right/