The late filmmaker Stanley Kubrick, known for his legendary works such as Full Metal Jacket, is once again a topic of political debate, this time involving his daughter, Vivian Kubrick. She recently shared her belief that her father would have supported former President Donald Trump, following the use of scenes from Kubrick’s famous military film in a Trump campaign video.
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Trump released a campaign video that juxtaposes gritty scenes from Full Metal Jacket‘s intense boot camp sequences with footage of U.S. military members in drag, accusing the Biden administration of promoting “woke” ideologies within the military. The video, which also features transgender Biden administration official Adm. Rachel Levine declaring a “Summer of Pride,” carries a sharp message: “America’s military president Donald J. Trump vs. Comrade Kamala Harris,” the text on screen reads. “Let’s make our military great again.”
Some critics have questioned whether Kubrick would have approved of his film being used this way, but his daughter strongly disagrees.
“Trump Would Have My Father’s Support”
Vivian Kubrick, in response to these critics, posted her thoughts on X, stating,”wouldn’t have wanted Trump to use FMJ [“Full Metal Jacket”] footage,”
saying she was “very confident” her father “would be a Trump supporter” if he were alive today. She acknowledged the irony in using an anti-war film to promote a tougher, more traditional military stance, but in these times, she believes it was a calculated move.
“Here are my thoughts: I agree in principle that an anti-war movie is incongruous with promoting the idea of a tough non-woke US military and thus war itself – however – these are very dangerous and strange times and thus using this footage is doubtless pure expedience. Because I’m sure the irony of using FMJ footage is not lost on Trump or his team – Trump is always seeking to end wars and use peaceful methods,” Vivian wrote, defending the video’s content and approach.
Complex Paradoxes of Human Nature
Reflecting on her father’s films and their themes, Kubrick’s daughter expanded on her interpretation of the message in Full Metal Jacket, explaining how it relates to today’s military concerns. “However, that’s primarily what FMJ is about, the shocking and complicated paradoxes of human nature. And thus, on this tooth and claw planet, you need a very strong military – so I’m going to stick with the idea that FMJ footage was used primarily because of its powerful, realistic portrayal of boot camp, juxtaposed with the entirely demoralizing and inappropriate injection of WOKE ideology into the USA military. Which I agree with myself and which I’m certain my father would have agreed with.”
Vivian Kubrick continued, emphasizing that her father would have likely aligned himself with Trump’s vision for a more focused and traditional military. “Truthfully, I believe my father (who supported Reagan), would very much approve of saving America, indeed the world, from the highly destructive Globalist forces threatening to take over this planet.”
A Strong Military for Stronger America
The campaign video highlights the decline in military recruitment under the Biden administration, an issue Kubrick’s daughter believes her father would also have taken seriously. She sees Trump’s use of Full Metal Jacket as a critical wake-up call about the need for stronger, more focused military forces. “If that footage from FMJ helps Trump make the point that the US military needs properly trained, super tough, focused, dedicated warriors—and not introduce the demoralizing effects of woke-ism, and attracting people to join up simply to have their sexual reassignments paid for—then Trump has my blessing,” she concluded.
Kubrick also reflected on her father’s nuanced view of human nature, drawing a parallel between his films and his personal beliefs. “Finally, knowing my father very well, I can assure you he had a profound grasp of how paradoxical human nature is! Which accounts for how at the same time he made anti-war films, he had a great passion for guns (self-defense not hunting) and he had quite a few! My father had a great respect for life – his movies being unimpeachable evidence of his love for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness! So on that basis, I feel very confident he would be a Trump supporter and would forgive using FMJ incongruously, if it helps the cause of freedom!”
The Woke Military and the Growing Crisis
As the U.S. military grapples with recruitment struggles and accusations of pushing “woke” diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, many, including Trump, are questioning the direction of America’s armed forces. Recent reports indicate that the number of active-duty service members has dropped by 64,000 in the last three years, making the U.S. military smaller than it’s been since before World War II.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Navy turned to a drag queen influencer to help address recruitment challenges—a move met with mixed reactions. Heading into the 2024 election, the future of America’s military, its focus, and its values remain at the forefront of national debate.
