Breitbart Editor-in-Chief Alex Marlow took aim at Ryan Reynolds during Thursday’s edition of “The Alex Marlow Show,” ridiculing the actor for comments about the 1980s. According to Marlow, Reynolds—whom he derisively called a ‘retarded Canadian’—was among those who claimed the decade was tainted by the Cuban Missile Crisis.
“One retarded Canadian was the amount of people who said that the 80s were bad because of the Cuban missile crisis,” Marlow said on the show, which airs weekdays from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern on the Salem Radio Network. The program also broadcasts on Salem’s TV news channel at 9 p.m. Eastern, with a podcast version released weekdays at the same time.
Marlow’s Criticism
Marlow’s remarks were part of a broader commentary segment on cultural and political figures he sees as out of touch. The Breitbart editor did not provide additional context about Reynolds’ original comments or where the actor might have made them, but his dismissal was clear. By framing Reynolds as a lone voice attaching the Cold War-era crisis to the decade, Marlow suggested the actor’s view was both absurd and isolated.
The Cuban Missile Crisis, a tense 1962 standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union, predates the 1980s by nearly two decades. Reynolds, a Canadian actor known for roles in films like “Deadpool” and “Free Guy,” has frequently commented on pop culture and politics on social media and in interviews, though the specific remarks referenced by Marlow were not detailed in the broadcast.
Program Context
“The Alex Marlow Show” is part of Salem Media Group’s conservative talk lineup, featuring Marlow, who also leads Breitbart News. The show covers politics, media criticism, and cultural trends from a right-leaning perspective. Marlow’s podcast, “The Alex Marlow Show Presented by Breitbart News,” is available on major platforms including YouTube, Rumble, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify, extending the reach of his on-air commentary.
Marlow’s use of the slur “retarded” drew no immediate on-air rebuke, and Breitbart promoted the segment on social media, encouraging followers to watch via Breitbart.tv on X @BreitbartVideo. The outlet also invited listener feedback, noting that comments on its website were open for discussion.
The exchange highlights the ongoing culture war over historical memory and celebrity political statements, with Breitbart often positioning itself against mainstream Hollywood figures. Reynolds, who has been vocal about progressive causes, has frequently been a target of conservative commentary, though this particular clash centers on his take on a decade defined by Reaganomics, Cold War tensions, and pop culture nostalgia.
As of Friday, Reynolds had not publicly responded to Marlow’s comments, and no further reports of his original “80s” statement had surfaced beyond Marlow’s characterization. Breitbart’s coverage of the segment did not include a clip of Reynolds speaking, leaving the context of his alleged remark open to clarification.
This incident joins a pattern of Breitbart’s aggressive criticism of celebrities who venture into political commentary, a stance that resonates with its audience but often draws accusations of personal attacks. Marlow’s show, now in its national syndication, continues to use provocative language to drive engagement, as evidenced by the promotion of this particular segment.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2026/09/05/retarded-canadian-ryan-reynolds-tried-to-cancel-the-80s-he-cant/