Meryl Streep used her acceptance speech for the Cecil B. DeMille Award at Sunday night's Golden Globes to criticize President-elect Donald Trump for mocking a disabled New York Times reporter during his campaign.
"It kind of broke my heart when I saw it, and I still can't get it out of my head, because it wasn't in a movie," Streep said. "It was real life. And this instinct to humiliate, when it's modeled by someone in the public platform, by someone powerful, it filters down into everybody's life, because it kind of gives permission for other people to do the same thing. Disrespect invites disrespect, violence incites violence. And when the powerful use their position to bully others, we all lose."
Streep's remarks have been applauded by many in and out of Hollywood. Meghan McCain, a Fox News contributor who is a daughter of Republican Sen. John McCain, used Twitter on Sunday night to knock Streep's speech:
This Meryl Streep speech is why Trump won. And if people in Hollywood don't start recognizing why and how - you will help him get re-elected
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) January 9, 2017This followed with many people who supported Streep's speech going after McCain:
It is a credit to Meryl Streep's star power that people are saying she swung the election with a speech she gave 2 months after the voting.
— Josh Gondelman (@joshgondelman) January 9, 2017
.@MeghanMcCain so Meryl Streep explaining the multicultural identity of Hollywood and championing empathy is why Trump won? Please enlighten
— Eddie Huang (@MrEddieHuang) January 9, 2017
So, just to be clear, @MeghanMcCain -- you're in SUPPORT of powerful rich ppl making fun of the disabled? Your father must be so proud
— Ted Sullivan (@karterhol) January 9, 2017But the most heated was comedian Billy Eichner, who tweeted this reaction to McCain's tweet:
Um she asked him not to make fun of disabled people and advocated for the freedom of the press and the arts you fucking moron https://t.co/IzZexd7Bb4
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) January 9, 2017McCain fired back:
.@billyeichner calling republicans like me "fucking morons" is a great way for Hollywood to bridge the cultural divide. Enjoy your bubble.
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) January 9, 2017That led the "Billy on the Street" host to react in a series of tweets:
Love being told I live in a bubble by the daughter of a millionaire politician who sometimes guest co-hosts Hoda and Kathie Lee.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) January 9, 2017
And I have no desire to "bridge the cultural divide" with ignorant voters who don't respect other cultures!
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) January 9, 2017
And now if you'll excuse me I'm late for the Weinstein/Netflix party.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) January 9, 2017Watch Streep's remarks from the Golden Globes on Trump below:
At tonight's #GoldenGlobes we honor Hollywood legend Meryl Streep with the prestigious Cecil B. Demille Award. pic.twitter.com/dxpeCDNXY6
— Golden Globe Awards (@goldenglobes) January 9, 2017
SEE ALSO: Here are all the winners of the 2017 Golden Globes
Join the conversation about this story »
NOW WATCH: The 7 best holiday movies on Netflix to watch this Christmas