An image shared on Facebook claims actor Clint Eastwood said he is leaving Hollywood because it is “the place of traitors and pedophilians (sic).”

Verdict: False

There is no record of Eastwood making the statement.

Fact Check:

Social media is replete with baseless rumors attempting to link celebrities such as Ellen DeGeneres, Oprah Winfrey and Tom Hanks to pedophilia and child sex trafficking. An image on Facebook claims that Clint Eastwood, the renowned actor and director known for his roles in films like “Dirty Harry” and “Million Dollar Baby,” has announced his departure from Hollywood because it is “the place of traitors and pedophilians.”

“Hollywood is the place of traitors and pedophilians, this morning I’ve decided to leave this awful place and fight against traitors with real American patriots with president Trump,” Eastwood allegedly said. (RELATED: ‘Why I Stick My Neck Out For Trump’ – Did Clint Eastwood Author This Pro-Trump Statement?)

But the Daily Caller News Foundation found no evidence that Eastwood made such a statement. No credible sources credit the remark to him online, and Eastwood doesn’t appear to have any social media accounts where he could have shared the comment.

The fake quote appears to originate with a March 2018 article published by the NY Evening News, a now-defunct news blog that has previously shared misinformation. The article claims Eastwood made the comment while attending the 2017 Cannes Film Festival for a 25th anniversary screening of his 1992 film “Unforgiven.” While he did attend the film festival, there is no record of Eastwood announcing his departure from Hollywood for such purpose.

There is no indication that Eastwood has left or intends to leave Hollywood. He has directed several movies since he allegedly made the comment in 2018, including “The Mule” which was released in December 2018, and “Richard Jewell,” which was released in December 2019. Variety reported that sources said Eastwood plans to produce, direct and star in the upcoming Warner Bros. adventure-drama “Cry Macho.”

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