Actor and comedian Michael Rapaport recently shared that he decided to stop using the disparaging nickname “Dick Stain” for President Donald Trump. His change of heart was motivated by a desire to support efforts to secure the release of hostages taken during the October 7 attacks.
During an appearance on the Hate to Break It to Ya Podcast last Friday, Rapaport explained that dialogues with the hostage families, along with the grave realities he encountered post-attack, pushed him to reassess his stance.
“I realized that the possibility of those hostages, held captive for weeks, months, or even a year, being freed largely depended on him,” Rapaport stated. “While I used to mock and deride him, I chose to refrain from such insults because achieving the goal of bringing the hostages home overshadowed my personal dislike. Simply not calling him Dick-Stained Donald Trump was a small price to pay for their release.”
Rapaport continued, “Engaging with hostage families and facing the harsh truths of the situation convinced me. It became clear that exercising respect towards him was essential, as I was committed to doing whatever it took to bring the hostages home. That’s why when people ask why I don’t use that nickname anymore, the answer is simple: priorities.”
On January 15, 2025, President Trump announced a breakthrough: Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement on hostages and a ceasefire, achieved through months of diplomatic negotiation. Orchestrated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, the deal ultimately secured the release of those captured during the October 7 incident.
Rapaport said critics often ask why he no longer uses the nickname for Trump, but he tells them they’re free to criticize the president themselves.
“You could say it ‘tough guy, big mouth, you don’t say things about Trump.’ I go, you got a platform, say it. You want me to keep going for, I said it enough, and I said this too. You’re not saying this. I’m like you could say it,” Rapaport added.
“Carry the torch, here’s the torch, but for me it was enough to get the hostages home and protect Israel, protect Israel’s right to exist. Those two things were enough for me.”
Rapaport said he still has criticisms of Trump but decided it was more important to avoid personal attacks while pushing for the release of the hostages.
“The insight that I’ve had to not be disparaging to him simply for that. Period,” Rapaport said. “I could still be critical and still be frustrated and have all the things, but that’s what, that’s what was… it’s… for me, I know it was important enough for me to no longer carry on like that.”
“Dick Stain” had been Rapaport’s go-to nickname for Trump, appearing repeatedly in his social media posts and videos.