Rupert Grint Faces Fan Backlash After ‘Obviously Against’ Fascism Remark

At the 2026 Berlin Film Festival, where stars have increasingly been pressed on political issues, Rupert Grint took a moment during a press conference for his new film Nightborn to address questions about the rise of fascism and far-right politics, particularly in the U.K. Asked directly whether he had a stance on the issue, Grint stated plainly, “Obviously, I’m against it.” And he indicated that while he chooses his moments to speak publicly, he recognizes the topic’s urgency and relevance today. While many fans adored his simple response, he also faced backlash. Here’s what’s going on.

Rupert Grint stated he’s ‘obviously’ not for Fascism at the 2026 Berlin Film Festival

Harry Potter fans know Rupert Grint as the loveable Ron Weasley. However, he’s now taking a public political stance in 2026, as far-right politics continue to gain traction in the U.K. During a press conference at the 2026 Berlin Film Festival for the Finnish horror film Nightborn, he gave a simple answer about how he feels about fascism.

“Obviously, I’m against it,” he stated, according to Variety. “But I choose my moments when to speak. But I think yeah, it’s obviously hugely relevant now. You’ll hear from me.”

Grint was far from the only celebrity asked about politics at the festival. Nightborn director Hannah Bergholm also used the opportunity to speak out regarding why she chose to wear a watermelon pin to show support for Palestine.

“As grown-up human beings, I think we have a responsibility to speak up against violence and injustice,” Bergholm said. “And it’s important that we don’t tell other film artists that they shouldn’t speak up.”

Screenwriter Ilja Rautsi also expressed the importance of “shining a light” on these issues, adding that “art is all about empathy.” Rautsi noted that it can be “good to create some form of pressure, or just to get people aware of whatever is happening in the world.”

Fans are divided on the actor’s simple take on fascism

Many fans on Reddit who are keeping a close eye on how celebrities are responding to politics in 2026 weren’t impressed by Rupert Grint’s take on fascism. They found his answer too obvious and wished he elaborated more on the subject instead of simply scratching the surface.

“Oh good, thanks Ron,” one Reddit user sarcastically commented.

“Oh good, I was waiting for him to weigh in with a hot take,” another user wrote.

Others on X questioned the rise of fascism at all. They claimed that the U.K. wasn’t seeing the issue presented in the question, making the entire conversation irrelevant.

However, other fans supported Grint’s answer. They figured he was put on the spot by journalists. Meanwhile, other celebrities declined to answer the political questions at all.

“Seriously, when did the world get such thin skin?” another fan on Reddit commented. “Even if he is getting political, so what? Amazing how so many people push that line, like things have never ‘gotten political before.'”

Rupert Grint admitted to disagreeing with J.K. Rowling’s stance on trans rights in the past

While author J.K. Rowling is responsible for the world of Harry Potter, her politics have lost her many fans. She’s taken a public stance against transgender rights. In a  3,600-word essay, she claimed that trans women “erode ‘women’ as a political and biological class.” Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, and Rupert Grint all took public stances against Rowling’s anti-trans position.

“I firmly stand with the trans community and echo the sentiments expressed by many of my peers,” Grint stated in The Sunday Times, according to Esquire. “Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment.”

Grint discussed this statement while in conversation with Esquire.

“I am hugely grateful [for] everything that she’s done,” the Ron Weasley actor stated. “I think that she’s extremely talented, and I mean, clearly, her works are genius. But yeah, I think also you can have huge respect for someone and still disagree with things like that.”