Donald Trump resigned from SAG-AFTRA and attacked the artists’ union after he revealed plans last month to expel him.
“Who cares!” Trump said in his letter, released Thursday, to what he described as the “so-called” union.
Addressing the president of the largest Hollywood syndicate, Gabrielle Carteris, the former president used his well-known brusque style to dismiss her, saying he did not know the work of TV star “Beverly Hills, 90210”.
He praised his appearances on “Home Alone 2” and “Zoolander”, as well as on the reality show “The Apprentice”, for which he was best known before his presidency.
In response, the union released a two-word statement: “Thank you”.
Trump revealed his resignation from his favorite news network Fox News, which claimed exclusivity and has itself faced audience pressure since he lost the election.
The ex-president’s resignation comes ahead of a series of hearings that are likely to end with his expulsion from the union after the Capitol insurrection last month and the attacks that Trump launched against members of the media, many of whom the SAG-AFTRA represents.
“I no longer wish to join your union,” wrote Trump.
In his letter, Trump criticized the union, which represents about 160,000 broadcasters, actors and journalists, for policy violations and for what he described as “blatant” disciplinary flaws, without detailing them. He also denounced CNN and MSNBC news networks, while taking credit for creating “thousands of jobs” and a resurgence in cable news as a result of his involvement in politics.
“Your organization has done little for its members and nothing for me – other than charging fees and promoting dangerous non-American policies and ideas – as is evident from its mass unemployment rates and lawsuits from famous actors, who even recorded a video asking: “Why isn’t the union fighting for me? ”
Apparently, Trump was referring to a lawsuit against the union’s health plan and its board of trustees, and the quote comes from a video recorded by A-list actors who have been fighting for better health coverage under the union.
In addition to his work on the reality show “The Apprentice”, Trump has some on-screen credits that date back to the late 1980s, mainly for appearing as himself on shows like “Sex and the City” and “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. “
Even in the case of expulsion, Trump would not lose the pension linked to his membership and could continue to work on the organized productions of SAG-AFTRA.
Last month, the SAG-AFTRA national council voted to find the “probable cause” that Trump violated his constitution, a move that could have led to his removal from his members.
Trump’s resignation came a day before a disciplinary committee heard the charges brought by SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White at Carteris’ request, citing Trump’s incitement to the deadly Capitol riot and his continued verbal attacks on journalists .
During the riot, the words “assassinate the press” were written on the doors of the Capitol building and news teams the Associated Press was attacked and its equipment destroyed by members of the mob.