White House calls Johnny Depp's Trump assassination comments 'sad'
The Public Enemies star made the quip while answering fan questions at a screening of his movie The Libertine.
Saturday 24 June 2017 05:17, UK
The White House has described comments Johnny Depp made about assassinating the US President as "troubling".
The Hollywood star joked about assassinating Donald Trump while appearing on stage at the Glastonbury Festival.
In a statement from Capitol Hill, the US administration stressed: "President Trump has condemned violence in all forms and it's sad that others like Johnny Depp have not followed his lead."
"I hope that some of Mr Depp's colleagues will speak out against this type of rhetoric as strongly as they would if his comments were directed to a Democrat elected official."
The Hollywood star received a rapturous reception during the event at Cineramageddon - a drive-in cinema on the site in Somerset.
He introduced his 2004 film The Libertine alongside director Julien Temple, but then began talking about religion and President Trump after questions from the 1,500-strong audience.
"I think he needs help and there are a lot of wonderful dark, dark places he could go," he said.
"It is just a question - I'm not insinuating anything.
"When was the last time an actor assassinated a president? I want to qualify, I am not an actor. I lie for a living.
"However, it has been a while and maybe it is time."
Actor John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln in 1865.
Depp later apologised for the "bad joke".
"It did not come out as intended, and I intended no malice. I was only trying to amuse, not to harm anyone," he said in a statement to People magazine.
The Secret Service said it was aware of Depp's remarks but declined to comment further.
Earlier this month, comedienne Kathy Griffin said she feared being arrested after posing for a picture with a mocked up bloody Trump head.