9/11 sparks Adam Brody's political fire, turning him into a lifelong activist

Adam Brody, the actor best known for his role in *The O.C.*, revealed in a GQ profile that the Bush/Gore election and the September 11 attacks were the catalysts that made him politically conscious.

The profile, released on Friday, September 25, featured the actor reflecting on those pivotal moments and how they shaped his worldview.

In the interview, Brody described how his skepticism of President George W. Bush began early, noting that he “was not so good to have a moron in charge.” He added that while he believes Bush is more civil and honorable than current leaders, he still disagrees with his politics.

Brody also discussed his ongoing political engagement, from campaigning in 2008 to canvassing with Swing Left during the 2018 midterms, and how he sees the upcoming 2026 elections as a new opportunity for change.

## Background & Context

Brody said, “I remember when I really awoke politically, it was the Bush/Gore election, and then 9/11 happened eight months later,” referring to the attacks on New York City, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania in 2001. He explained that the tragedy made him think that morning: “It’s not so good to have a moron in charge.”

During that period, Brody condemned George W. Bush as “a bad leader” and noted that “we’re still paying for that 25 years later.” The actor continued, “I did some campaigning in 2008 — I got involved early in the century,” highlighting his early participation in political activism.

Brody’s first canvassing effort with Swing Left took place in 2018 during the midterms in Laguna Beach, where he worked on a local effort to flip a seat formerly held by Dana Rohrabacher. He said the campaign was both national and local in scope, reflecting his commitment to influencing elections beyond his hometown.

## Current Engagement & Views

Brody stated that he has been canvassing with Swing Left “for a fairly long time,” and he discussed how Donald Trump’s two non‑consecutive presidential terms impacted celebrity advocacy. He recalled, “I think it’s the cycle. The first time Trump was elected [in 2016], it was inconceivable.

It woke everyone. There was so much activism.”

He added that watching Trump defile government and pitting people against each other made him feel that “most of the country right away was really against it” and that it felt safe to oppose him during his first presidency.

When addressing Trump’s second term, Brody said, “The second time, the presidency was more powerful. Corporations were lining up behind him like they hadn’t before.” He noted that people had to risk more to align with Trump and that the mood had shifted toward acceptance of a new status quo.

Brody also alleged that Hollywood has “outspokenly” grown more conservative since Trump popularized the “Make America Great Again” movement, suggesting that this trend influenced the entertainment industry's political stance.

## Future Outlook

Brody said that, amid COVID, a second Trump term, and the Israel‑Gaza conflict, he has seen beliefs he was once ignorant of become disheartening. He is now preparing for the 2026 midterms and believes the political tide is shifting again.

He expressed optimism about the upcoming election cycle: “As we start to pick up steam for this election, it’s getting exciting again,” he added. “We’re starting to feel powerful again.”

The actor’s candid reflection on his political awakening and continued activism marks a new chapter as he gears up to engage voters during the next national elections.