Like many in Hollywood, Eric Dane wasn’t a huge fan of Donald Trump.
His true feelings about the president came to light a few years ago during a famously awkward exchange with his former boss, Shonda Rhimes.
Some characters don’t just appear on screen — they become part of our culture. Eric Dane brought charisma, charm, and an undeniable presence that drew everyone in. “McSteamy” wasn’t just a name… it defined a generation who watched him on Grey’s Anatomy.
Eric Dane later shared that one of the most touching things he heard after Grey’s Anatomy ended was a comment repeated by countless fans:
“I went through school because of that show.”
Tense exchange
Now, Dane’s legacy lives on in unforgettable performances, fan memories, and iconic TV moments that are still quoted today. And following the tragic news of his death, the actor’s words about Trump have resurfaced, reminding fans of his fearless willingness to speak his mind — both on and off screen.
Back in 2016, Dane became involved in a tense Twitter exchange with his former boss, Shonda Rhimes, after a video surfaced showing Trump making lewd comments about women in 2005.
Rhimes, the creator behind Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away with Murder, had tweeted her frustration with men who justified their silence about Trump by saying they had wives, daughters, or mothers.
“Men, stop with ‘we have wives, daughters’ as reason not to condone his actions,” Rhimes wrote. “You don’t condone his acts because you know right from wrong.”
“C’mon folks, are you crazy?”
Dane, who played Dr. Mark Sloan — aka “McSteamy” — on Grey’s Anatomy until 2012, responded hours later with a pointed tweet of his own, though not directly replying to Rhimes:
“How ’bout this — f*ck @realDonaldTrump and I could give no fux about @shondarhimes opinion. My wife and 2 girls. He needs to b btch slapped.”
The tweet immediately went viral, and Rhimes’ reaction echoed much of the internet: a simple, confused “um?”
Dane later clarified that his outrage was directed entirely at Trump, not Rhimes. He doubled down in subsequent tweets:
“Settle down people I luv @shondarhimes. But @realDonaldTrump? C’mon folks, are you crazy? Are you really supporting this a—? Wake the fuk up.” “Don’t be confused… it all makes sense to me,” he added, according to People.
Took action himself
It’s clear that Eric Dane was far from a supporter of Donald Trump.
There was even a political connection, as some of Trump’s policies had the potential to affect ALS research funding in the U.S. According to The Post-Standard, the Trump administration’s budget included significant cuts to biomedical research, which could have impacted ALS studies.
Dane took action himself, traveling to Capitol Hill to meet with representatives and senators from both parties. He told lawmakers he was determined to fight for ALS research “to the last breath.”
In the final years of his life, Dane found deep purpose working with the nonprofit I AM ALS, founded by ALS patient Brian Wallach and his wife Sandra Abrevaya, both former White House staffers under President Barack Obama. Dane became a spokesperson for the organization, helping raise awareness of the disease and advocating for more research and funding.
According to the organization, around 30,000 Americans live with ALS, and the average survival after diagnosis is only two to five years.
Today, Dane’s voice, his advocacy, and his willingness to speak openly about ALS continue to inspire people around the world. May he rest in peace.
