Matthew McConaughey declines to say 'where I stand on abortion' but criticizes Texas law
![Matthew McConaughey](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oqkXW2ZpsmCf8UJQK2hibV-415-80.jpg)
Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey says he's intentionally not taking sides on various political issues as he considers a possible run for Texas governor, though he did offer some criticism of the state's controversial new abortion law.
McConaughey, who has said he's "measuring" a possible gubernatorial run, spoke with The New York Times' podcast Sway and was asked about Texas' law banning abortion at about six weeks into a pregnancy. The actor told the Times that "I'm not going to come out and tell you right now on this show, here's where I stand on abortion." He did, however, argue that the Texas law "feels a little juvenile in its implementation to me." The actor also took issue with the fact that the law doesn't make exceptions for rape or incest, saying, "I got a problem with that."
"And also, six weeks," he said. "Six weeks? If you're saying that your discussion of abortion is even on the table to consider, six weeks does not really make that a honest consideration."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Host Kara Swisher, though, asked McConaughey why he hasn't been letting "anybody know who you're for, who you're against," playing a clip of former Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-Texas) criticizing the actor for not revealing his stance on key issues. McConaughey told the Times this is "on purpose" and that "taking sides on a political issue right now, to me, precedes the discussion of something larger and much more important," including questions about the "purpose of democracy" and about "what the hell is politics?"
On the issue of voting rights, McConaughey told the Times he doesn't "know enough about that to be able to discuss the details on how I feel about that," though he added that he believes it "should be easier to vote." He also argued it's "necessary to be aggressively centric to possibly salvage democracy in America right now."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Escape seaside in Newport, Rhode Island
The Week Recommends For the quintessential New England experience, head to the Classic Coast
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The long-awaited return of the college football video game
In the Spotlight EA Sports' 'College Football 25' is the first installment of the series in 11 years
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: July 25, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Menendez convicted of bribery, fraud, and extortion
Speed Read The New Jersey Democratic Senator was found guilty in a federal corruption trial
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Florida judge dismisses Trump documents case
Speed Read Judge Aileen Cannon ruled that special counsel Jack Smith was improperly appointed
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Hamas says military chief survived Israeli strike
Speed Read An Israeli bombing failed to hit its intended target, military commander Mohammed Deif, but killed at least 90 Palestinians
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
First Israeli report on Oct. 7 finds 'severe mistakes and errors' in IDF response
Speed Reads Israeli military admits failures in response to deadly Hamas attack that triggered Gaza war
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden saw neurologist during physicals
Speed Read Following his bad debate performance, many are asking questions about the president's brain
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Russia bombs Kyiv children's hospital
Speed Reads The daytime barrage interrupted heart surgeries and killed at least 40 people
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published