Los Angeles, California, May 27, 2025 – In a fiery clash that has set Hollywood and social media ablaze, Shazam! actor Zachary Levi has publicly criticized his co-star Rachel Zegler for her inflammatory remarks about Donald Trump and his supporters, igniting a swift and polarized reaction from fans. The controversy, which erupted after Levi addressed Zegler’s post-election Instagram rant in a recent interview, has exposed deep divisions within the entertainment industry and its audience, with fans turning fast to either defend or condemn the actors. As the fallout continues to unfold, the incident raises critical questions about political expression in Hollywood, the power of fan influence, and the delicate balance between personal beliefs and professional relationships in an increasingly divisive cultural landscape.
The Spark: Zegler’s Post-Election Rant
The drama began shortly after the 2024 U.S. presidential election, when Donald Trump secured a second term in a result that stunned many in Hollywood, where support for Kamala Harris had been widespread among celebrities. Rachel Zegler, the 24-year-old star of Disney’s live-action Snow White remake, took to Instagram to express her frustration, reportedly writing, “F*** Donald Trump” and wishing that Trump supporters “never know peace.” The comments, made in the heat of the election’s aftermath, drew immediate backlash from conservative commentators and Trump supporters, who accused Zegler of alienating a significant portion of her audience. Zegler later issued an apology, acknowledging that her emotions had gotten the better of her, but the damage was done—her remarks became a lightning rod for controversy, compounding the already tumultuous reception of Snow White, which flopped at the box office earlier this year with an opening weekend of just $42.2 million against a $270 million budget.
Zegler’s outspokenness was not new. The actress, who rose to fame with her role in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story (2021), has faced criticism for her political views in the past, including a social media post in 2024 where she wrote “and always remember, free Palestine” while promoting the Snow White trailer, prompting Disney to hire a social media manager to monitor her online activity. Her comments about Trump and his supporters added fuel to the fire, with some, like Jonah Platt—son of Snow White producer Marc Platt—blaming her “narcissism” for dragging her personal politics into the film’s promotion, contributing to its poor performance. Critics, however, have noted that Zegler’s views align with many in her generation, with polls showing that Gen Z and millennials are more likely to support causes like Palestinian rights and express frustration with conservative politics.
Levi’s Response: A Call for Empathy Amid Division
Zachary Levi, Zegler’s co-star in Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023), entered the fray last week with a candid interview published on May 23, 2025, where he addressed Zegler’s remarks and the broader fallout from his own controversial political stance. Levi, 44, has been a vocal supporter of Donald Trump, a position that has made him a rarity in Hollywood and led to significant backlash, including what he describes as being “blacklisted” by some peers who refuse to work with him. In the interview, Levi didn’t mince words about Zegler’s comments, acknowledging that he was one of the Trump supporters she had targeted. “I am one of those people, obviously,” he said, directly referencing her wish that Trump supporters “never know peace.”
However, Levi’s response was more nuanced than a simple condemnation. He urged empathy, suggesting that Zegler’s views were shaped by the information she had been fed—information he believes paints Trump and his supporters in an unfairly extreme light, comparing them to “Hitler” and “Nazis.” Levi questioned whether he should hate Zegler for her stance, arguing that her perspective was a product of the echo chambers that dominate Hollywood’s liberal landscape. “Should I hate her because she’s downstream of all these voices that are telling her that he’s Hitler and the people who vote for him are Nazis?” he asked, framing the issue as a broader problem of misinformation and division rather than a personal failing on Zegler’s part.
Levi’s comments were a double-edged sword—while he criticized Zegler’s rhetoric, he also extended a hand of understanding, calling for grace in a time of intense polarization. He emphasized that his support for Trump was not taken “blindly or casually,” but rather stemmed from a belief that many Trump voters, himself included, recognize the former president’s imperfections and are not the extremists they are often portrayed as. Levi also claimed that many in Hollywood secretly supported Trump but were “afraid” to go public, a cryptic assertion that has sparked speculation about the industry’s true political undercurrents.
Fans Turn Fast: A Divided Response
The reaction from fans was immediate and intense, reflecting the deep ideological divide that has come to define much of American culture. On one side, Levi’s supporters praised his willingness to speak out against what they see as Hollywood’s liberal bias. Many fans took to social media platforms like X to voice their approval, with sentiment indicating that Levi’s call for empathy while standing firm in his beliefs resonated with those who feel marginalized by the industry’s dominant political narrative. “Zachary Levi is a breath of fresh air in Hollywood,” one user wrote, echoing a common sentiment among his fans. “He’s not afraid to stand up for what he believes in, even if it costs him.”
On the other side, Zegler’s fans and those who share her views rallied to her defense, arguing that her comments were a valid expression of frustration in the wake of an election that many saw as a setback for progressive values. They pointed to her apology as evidence of her willingness to take accountability, while criticizing Levi for what they perceived as an attempt to undermine her. “Rachel Zegler spoke her truth, and now she’s being attacked by someone who supports a man with a history of divisive rhetoric,” one commenter noted on X, reflecting the sentiment of those who see Levi’s response as hypocritical given Trump’s own controversial statements.
The fan divide mirrors the broader tensions within Hollywood, where political differences have increasingly strained professional relationships. Levi has claimed that his support for Trump has led to ostracization, with peers like Zegler, Jack Dylan Grazer, Asher Angel, and even Shazam! director David F. Sandberg reportedly distancing themselves from him. Zegler’s outspokenness has also come at a cost—her comments about Trump, combined with earlier controversies like her critique of the original Snow White film’s traditional values and her pro-Palestinian stance, have made her a lightning rod for criticism, contributing to the narrative that she hurt the film’s success.
A Critical Examination: Beyond the Headlines
While the headline of Levi “shredding” Zegler suggests a vicious takedown, the reality is more complex. Levi’s response, though pointed, was not a personal attack but rather a critique of the broader cultural dynamics that shape such views. His call for empathy challenges the narrative of Hollywood as a monolith of liberal thought, while also exposing the industry’s intolerance for dissenting voices like his own. However, his claim about “secret Trump supporters” in Hollywood lacks substantiation, raising questions about whether he’s projecting his own experience onto others to bolster his position. Without names or evidence, this assertion remains speculative, potentially undermining his credibility on the issue.
Zegler’s actions, meanwhile, deserve scrutiny beyond the surface-level backlash. Her comments about Trump and his supporters were undeniably inflammatory, and her timing—during the promotion of a family-friendly Disney film—arguably showed poor judgment, as Disney reportedly feared alienating nearly half the American electorate who voted for Trump. Yet, her views are not an anomaly among her generation, and her willingness to speak out, even at the cost of her career, reflects a boldness that contrasts with the industry’s often performative activism. The criticism she’s faced—some of it veering into racist attacks over her Latina heritage—also highlights the disproportionate scrutiny young women of color face in Hollywood, a pattern that deserves more attention than Levi’s relatively mild pushback.
The Broader Implications: Hollywood, Politics, and Fan Power
The Levi-Zegler clash underscores the precarious intersection of politics and entertainment in 2025. Hollywood has long been a liberal stronghold, but the rise of figures like Levi—who face ostracization for supporting conservative causes—reveals the industry’s struggle to navigate ideological diversity. The speed with which fans turned, either to support Levi or defend Zegler, illustrates the power of fan culture in shaping narratives, often amplifying division rather than fostering dialogue. Social media platforms like X have become battlegrounds where nuanced discussions are drowned out by polarized reactions, a trend that mirrors broader societal fractures.
For Levi and Zegler, the fallout may have lasting career implications. Levi, who is currently working on launching a Hollywood studio in Austin, Texas, after starting his own production company, risks further alienation in an industry already wary of his views. Zegler, whose Snow White role was meant to cement her as a rising star, faces an uphill battle to recover from the film’s failure and the controversies tied to her name. Yet, both actors have shown resilience—Levi in his refusal to back down, and Zegler in her unapologetic authenticity, even if it comes with a cost.
A Moment of Reflection
The clash between Zachary Levi and Rachel Zegler is more than a celebrity feud—it’s a microcosm of the cultural battles playing out across America. Levi’s critique, while sharp, calls for understanding in a time of division, while Zegler’s rant reflects the raw emotion of a generation grappling with political disillusionment. Fans may have turned fast, but the deeper challenge lies in whether Hollywood—and its audience—can turn toward a more constructive dialogue, one that allows for differing views without devolving into enmity. As the dust settles, this moment may serve as a wake-up call for an industry that too often prioritizes conformity over complexity, and for fans who hold the power to either bridge or widen the gap.
