Trump ‘far less dangerous’ than Dick Cheney, says Vice star Christian Bale

Christian Bale has called Trump a “clown” who doesn’t understand how government works, although believes he is “far less dangerous” than Dick Cheney, whom he plays in new film Vice.

The actor, who earned a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his performance as the former US vice president, compared the two in an interview with PA.

“(Trump’s) bombastic, he’s loud. Cheney was quiet and secretive and far more capable, far more brilliant,“ he said.

“In terms of their ability to understand government, there’s no comparison. Trump doesn’t understand it, Cheney did, that’s what made him so powerful, these decades within the government. Whereas Trump is sort of a clown by comparison. Clowns can do a lot of damage but fingers crossed in the next two years that doesn’t happen.”

Bale continued: “But I would say because of his enormous ego, Trump is actually far less dangerous – providing he doesn’t go bloody pushing the button – than Cheney.”

The actor transformed himself to play Cheney in the new film from The Big Short director Adam McKay.

Vice received eight Oscar nominations, including Best Actress for Amy Adams and Best Supporting Actor for Sam Rockwell.

It’s released in the UK on 25 January.