Martin Sheen calls Donald Trump the ‘biggest nothing in the world’ and shares spiritual advice

Hollywood legend delivers powerful message to president

Actor Martin Sheen made headlines during a live MSNBC event when he called President Donald Trump “the biggest nothing in the world.” The 85-year-old star offered spiritual guidance during a taping of Nicolle Wallace’s podcast The Best People on October 13, 2025.

Sheen, known for portraying President Josiah Bartlet on The West Wing, didn’t hold back his criticism of the current administration. His comments sparked widespread attention across social media and news outlets nationwide.

From West Wing to real world politics

Sheen’s fictional presidency on The West Wing earned him a Golden Globe Award and two Screen Actors Guild Awards between 1999 and 2006. The beloved NBC series won 26 Emmy Awards during its seven-season run, including Outstanding Drama Series four consecutive times.

Wallace introduced Sheen as playing “one of the best presidents we’ve ever known” before he delivered his critique. His transition from portraying an idealized president to criticizing a real one carries particular weight with audiences.

The cabinet room lacks joy and authenticity

Sheen painted a bleak picture of Trump’s cabinet meetings, saying the atmosphere “smells of ego and fear and false worship”. He claimed that when cabinet members look across the table, they see only reflections of their worst selves rather than people better than themselves.

According to the actor, there’s no music, laughter, self-effacement, or joy in that environment. The legendary performer insisted the administration demonstrates a fundamental lack of human connection and authenticity.

A spiritual message rooted in humanity

The actor’s message centered on embracing vulnerability and reconnecting with one’s humanity as a path to authentic living. Sheen explained that humans “start as a nothing” but can awaken their inner humanity through accepting their own brokenness.

He described this acceptance as “beautiful brokenness” because it allows transformation and genuine change to occur within. His spiritual advice drew from decades of Catholic faith and activism that have defined his personal life.

Sycophants surround the president

The Apocalypse Now star urged Trump to stop listening to “sycophants” who encourage him to be his “non-human self”. A sycophant is defined as a servile flatterer who seeks favor through insincere praise rather than honest counsel.

Sheen’s use of this term highlighted his belief that Trump’s advisors feed his ego instead of guiding him toward genuine leadership. He believes these yes-men prevent the president from accessing his authentic humanity and making compassionate decisions.

Speak from your heart, not your throat

Sheen delivered specific advice, telling Trump to stop worrying about his appearance and focus on authentic communication. “Stop fussing with your hair and don’t worry about your tie and stand up straight and speak clearly,” the actor said.

He emphasized speaking from the heart rather than the throat as the key to genuine human connection. The advice concluded with a pointed reminder that Trump was made for being human, not for playing golf.

A lifetime of activism and faith

Martin Sheen has been arrested over 60 times for civil disobedience and peaceful protests throughout his career. His Catholic faith, which he returned to in 1981, has been the foundation for his social justice work.

The actor has championed causes from nuclear disarmament to farmworkers’ rights and homelessness for decades. His activism isn’t separate from his spirituality but flows directly from his deeply held religious convictions and beliefs.

The mighty battle for humanity

Sheen framed the current political moment as a battle about staying connected to personal humanity amid widespread dysfunction. “It’s not about winning or losing. It’s about being in touch with your own personal humanity,” he told Wallace’s audience.

The actor believes there’s a severe lack of humanity coming from the Trump administration that affects everyone. He called on Americans to find their own humanity before they can recognize it in others around them.

Robert F Kennedy Jr and the cabinet critique

Sheen specifically mentioned Robert F Kennedy Jr, whose father served in President John F Kennedy’s cabinet during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He contrasted RFK’s father’s humanity during that 1962 crisis with the current cabinet’s lack of human connection.

Kennedy Jr was confirmed as Health and Human Services Secretary in February 2025 despite widespread controversy over his vaccine skepticism. The comparison highlighted Sheen’s belief that historical leadership showed greater humanity than today’s political figures demonstrate.

Legendary film career spans six decades

Born Ramón Estévez in 1940, Sheen achieved fame with breakthrough roles in Badlands and Apocalypse Now. His performance as Captain Willard in Francis Ford Coppola’s Vietnam War epic nearly cost him his life.

The actor has appeared in over 100 films throughout his remarkable six-decade career in entertainment. His stage name honors casting director Robert Dale Martin and Bishop Fulton J Sheen from his Catholic upbringing.

Family legacy in Hollywood

Sheen and his wife Janet share four children who all pursued acting careers: Emilio Estevez, Ramon Estevez, Charlie Sheen, and Renée Estevez. Unlike his siblings, Emilio kept the family’s Estévez surname, something Martin now says he wishes he had done himself.

Charlie Sheen achieved fame through Platoon, Wall Street, and the sitcom Two and a Half Men throughout his career. The family has collaborated on multiple projects, including the 1990 film Cadence which Martin directed.

Grace and Frankie brings later career success

From 2015 to 2022, Sheen starred as Robert Hanson in the Netflix comedy Grace and Frankie alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The series followed two women whose husbands reveal they’re in love with each other and plan to marry.

Sheen and Sam Waterston played the husbands who leave their wives for each other in the groundbreaking show. The comedy ran for seven seasons and became one of Netflix’s longest-running original series at that time.

The Best People podcast platform

Nicolle Wallace launched The Best People podcast on MSNBC to feature magnetic individuals who bring out the best in others. The former Bush White House communications director turned MSNBC anchor has built her reputation as a vocal Trump critic.

Her show Deadline: White House expanded to two hours daily in 2020 as her influence at the network grew. Wallace’s podcast seeks varied perspectives on reaching for truth, decency, and connection during political upheaval and societal challenges.

Nothing but everything at once

Sheen’s concept of being “nothing” relates to surrendering ego and accepting fundamental human vulnerability as spiritual strength. He explained that recognizing oneself as nothing opens the door to discovering that being human is all we need.

This spiritual paradox suggests that emptying oneself of pride creates space for authentic transformation and genuine connection. The actor’s message challenges conventional notions of power, suggesting true strength comes from acknowledging our shared human fragility.

Previous criticism of Trump administration

This wasn’t Sheen’s first time criticizing Trump, having previously called him a “bum,” “hustler,” and “bad man” in 2021. The actor endorsed Joe Biden for the 2024 election and later campaigned for Kamala Harris before she lost.

His political activism extends beyond entertainment into real-world engagement with campaigns and causes he believes in deeply. Sheen has been consistent in speaking out against what he perceives as injustice throughout his entire adult life.

Speaking of the Sheens, Martin’s son Charlie faced his own challenges, including a financial downfall that cost him a $150M fortune.

Audience reaction and national response

The live audience at the MSNBC event applauded Sheen’s comments, and Wallace laughed appreciatively at his pointed critique. News outlets across the political spectrum covered his remarks, from Fox News to HuffPost and international media.

Social media platforms buzzed with reactions as clips of Sheen’s speech circulated widely among users nationwide. His words resonated with those seeking moral clarity and authentic voices during a turbulent political period in America.

Seems Martin Sheen isn’t the only one throwing shade, Stephen Colbert also took a jab, reminding everyone that Donald Trump still doesn’t have an Emmy.

Do you agree with Martin Sheen’s take on Trump, or do you think he went too far?

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and with human editing.