While Will Smith was in Dubai to promote Suicide Squad, the actor also did double duty as a goodwill ambassador to the region. During a press conference where Smith was asked about Donald Trump and the politician’s opinions of Muslims and the Middle East, Smith expressed hope that outrage over Trump’s remarks might lead to better future relations. “As painful as it is to hear Donald Trump talk and as embarrassing as it is as an American to hear him talk, I think it’s good,” Smith said. “We get to know who people are and now we get to cleanse it out of our country.” Smith went on to explain that it’s important “to speak out about the insanity” of Trump’s Islamophobic remarks. Likewise, just as Smith wanted everyone to know that not every American shares Trump’s opinions, he also wanted to help counter stereotypes his fans back home might have by tweeting pictures that show him having a good time in Dubai, as if conveying, “Hey, it doesn’t look like they hate me, does it?”
Of course, his diplomatic nature also extended to the film he was promoting. When asked about Suicide Squad’s bad reviews he said: “Some of [my movies] will be critically acclaimed, some of them will make money, and some of them will be Wild Wild West.” Ah, yes, Wild Wild West — an expensive, implausible, gaudy relic of the 20th century — Smith sure has a type he doesn’t like.
