The film White House Down ‘s fairly liberal leaning undertones are not super subtle, but do have a kind of a dog-whistle effect for pop politics buffs on either side — and first weekend viewers are sure to draw some parallels and thus inferences from the film’s baddies and underlying themes.
At its core, White House Down ‘s liberal “agenda” is inherent in its plot, and difficult to describe without spoilers.
On the spoiler-free front, White House Down made references to current politics in a few bits — a bloviating conservative pundit sharply criticizing black president James Sawyer (played by Jamie Foxx) from the White House lawn is later seen sobbing like a little girl when he is rounded up with others by big baddies. (The character is inexplicably and some what out of thin air majorly redeemed later in the film in what appears to be a throwaway plot point.)
President Sawyer’s personal quarters have secreted stocks of Nicorette gum (President Barack Obama’s past smoking habit has been a point of debate in the past), and during a tense moment, Sawyer begins chomping it furiously and asking John Cale (played by Channing Tatum) if he smokes before replying, “me neither.” Not so much political or liberal, but a definite allusion to our current Commander In Chief.
Without giving too much away, the White House Down liberal “agenda” points seem to be largely critical of for-profit interference of US defense and the role of firms like Halliburton and KBR in ongoing conflicts (and ostensibly our incentive to stay involved) — and the attack on the White House in the film is one related to the corrupt influence of money in politics.
As for the film’s big baddies, the White House Down liberal feel is inherent in the brief explanation of their identity and motivation to attack, though several warring ideologies do cause dissent in the ranks of the dissenters. (Revenge, money, and warmongering are all motivators among the film’s varying villians.)
Over on Twitter, it appears White House Down ‘s liberal messages were not missed by viewers — many of whom liked the film overall but were offended by what they saw as a political message.
Some tweets read:
White House Down had a great story line but the blatant Liberal support it gave made me never want to watch it again. #RepublicanGirlProbs
— Tayyy? (@Tlangford8) June 29, 2013
If you are a military supporting American,don’t see White House Down. Full of liberal agenda! Save your money! Gag!!! #WhiteHouseDown
— Juanita (@JuanitaSpangler) June 29, 2013
White House Down is a GREAT movie! Extremely liberal but it’s a great flick!
— Charlie Hurd (@Charlie_Hurd) June 29, 2013
@PatDollard We need to start producing movies with @RickSantorum . I went and saw @WHD (White House Down) and it’s full of Liberal undertone.
— Jared Roberts (@ShortGo) June 28, 2013
Saw White House Down. Black president? White terrorists? Guns used violently? What kind of liberal fantasy is this? #TCT
— Angel Villagomez (@MercielAngel) June 28, 2013
#WhiteHouseDown was some liberal propaganda if I’ve ever seen it
— Southern Comforts (@SthrnCmfrts) June 28, 2013
Seriously, though – liberal/progressive Americans having a good week re: DOMA and Wendy Davis? “White House Down” is basically your nightcap
— Bob Chipman (@the_moviebob) June 27, 2013
Did you feel that White House Down had a liberal agenda?