Tom Hanks Has a Post-Election Message for America

2 minute read

Tom Hanks was a voice of calm on Tuesday evening as he reassured an audience at New York’s Museum of Modern Art that “we are going to be all right” in the wake of a highly divisive presidential election.

Hanks made the remarks during his speech at the museum’s ninth annual film benefit, dedicated to the actor’s life and works. Hanks, who previously criticized the now President-elect Donald Trump during the election campaign season, addressed the shock felt by many at last week’s result. However, actor’s speech had a positive tone, encouraging those listening to remember that “We constantly get to define ourselves as Americans. We do have the greatest country in the world.”

Responding to a call for him to run as the Democratic presidential candidate in 2020 by documentary filmmaker Michael Moore, Hanks said “Just because I’m an actor, I can give a good speech, I agree with that,” Vulture reports. “But the concept of actually voting for someone just because they can do that? Then Monty Hall could have been President of the United States!”

Hanks referred to the American Constitution as well as the lyrics of Bruce Springsteen in his speech, before reassuring the audience that “We are going to be all right…we will move forward, because if we do not move forward, what is to be said about us?”

[Vulture]

 

More Must-Reads From TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com