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Jennifer Lawrence on her evolving political views: 'I would like to clarify my voting record'

Jenna Ryu
USA TODAY

Jennifer Lawrence's political views have changed over the years, in part due to the election of President Donald Trump. 

On the Oct. 21 episode of the "Absolutely Not" podcast, the "Hunger Games" actress said after growing up in a Republican household, she changed her "politics based on the things I learned." 

"My first time voting, I voted for John McCain. I was a little Republican," Lawrence said. And though she recognizes "the fiscal benefits of the Republican policies," she added on the other hand, she "could also see the social issues weren't in line with my views."

Lawrence then let loose on Trump.

"When Donald Trump got elected, that just changed everything. This is an impeached president whose broken many laws and has refused to condemn white supremacy, and it feels like there has been a line drawn in the sand," Lawrence added. "I don't want to support a president who supports white supremacists."

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During the first presidential debate on Sep. 29, Trump seemingly sidestepped a call to condemn white supremacists, in which he responded: "Proud Boys – stand back and stand by. But I'll tell you what, somebody's got to do something about antifa and the left."  However, he clarified to Savannah Guthrie during the Town Hall on Thursday that he has "denounced white supremacy for years."

Lawrence then compared the current presidency to that of former President Barack Obama, reflecting that "you would go days, maybe weeks, without thinking about the president because everything would generally be OK."

On Tuesday, Lawrence took to Twitter to further explain her political affiliation.

"I would like to clarify my voting record, which is the subject of many circulating headlines," she wrote. "I grew up in a republican family and voted for John McCain in 2008, but through Obama's presidency, and growing up to realize I was voting against my own rights, I am proud to say I am a Democrat."

This isn't the first time the 30-year-old actress has been public about her political views. In a 2018 interview with USA TODAY, she described “losing her mind” during the last presidential election. Trump, she says, reminds her of men she encountered in Hollywood. “I was just kind of flailing because I just know that guy. I’ve seen that guy a million times. … I’ve met the dude that’s going to point at you and be like, 'I’m going to make you rich.' And he’s lying."

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Contributing: Andrea Mandell, Charles Trepany

Jennifer Lawrence