Depp apologises for his Donald Trump assassination joke, says 'intended no malice'

Mumbai: Hollywood star Johnny Depp had kicked up a storm with remarks suggesting that US President Donald Trump be assassinated by an actor.

In what could be a reference to Abraham Lincoln's murder by actor John Wilkes Booth in 1865, Depp said, "When was the last time an actor assassinated a President?" 

"I want to qualify, I am not an actor. I lie for a living. However, it has been a while and maybe it is time," the actor added.

Depp, 54, was at the Glastonbury music festival when he made the remarks.

He attended the festival to introduce his 2004 film 'The Libertine' along with director Julian Temple but began talking about the 45th US President, reported The Guardian.

"Can you bring Trump here?" Depp asked the crowd as he told them that the President needed help and "there are a lot of wonderful dark, dark places he could go." 

The actor was aware that his remarks would cause controversy as he said, "It is just a question I'm not insinuating anything. By the way, this is going to be in the press. It will be horrible." 

Depp's comments have met with criticism with some on social media suggesting a boycott of his movies.

"I would call for a boycott of Johnny Depp's movies, but it appears people have been avoiding them for the last 20 years anyway," a user wrote.

Trump's son Donald Trump Jr mocked the actor by posting a link to a story about Heard's abuse allegations.

"Ha, Depp wants to make social commentary: Johnny Depp's team knew of alleged abuse of Amber Heard," he wrote with the links to the story.

Fans, however, defended the actor saying the remarks were made in jest.

"Johnny Depp was joking people... that means it is not serious, stop being such snowflakes. It shouldn't even be a story," a Twitter user wrote.

However, after a huge backlash and being condemned by the White House, Depp has apologised through a statement.

According to an international news website, the statement read, “I apologise for the bad joke I attempted last night in poor taste about President Trump,” said Depp in a statement. “It did not come out as intended, and I intended no malice. I was only trying to amuse, not to harm anyone.”

Whereas, in an official statement, the White House said, “President Trump has condemned violence in all forms and it's sad that others like Johnny Depp have not followed his lead. I hope that some of Mr. Depp’s colleagues will speak out against this type of rhetoric as strongly as they would if his comments were directed to a Democrat elected official.”

On the work front, 'The 'Pirates of the Caribbean' star has been in news recently for his divorce from Heard and reports about his financial trouble as he fights a court case against his former management company.