Actor Dean Cain, best known for playing Superman in the 1990s TV series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, announced he has joined ICE to support former President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown — a move that has drawn both support and criticism.
In a video post to social media Tuesday, Cain, 59, described his enlistment as a way to act on his beliefs.
“For those who don’t know, I am a sworn law enforcement officer… and I felt it was important to join with our first responders to help secure the safety of all Americans,” he said.
Cain encouraged viewers to join ICE, listing perks such as a $50,000 signing bonus, student loan repayment, enhanced retirement, and no college degree requirement.
“You can defend your homeland… ICE is arresting the worst of the worst and removing them from America’s streets,” he said. “I like that. I voted for that.”
Online Backlash and Praise
Cain’s announcement, which resembled a recruitment pitch, was met with mixed reactions. Some users on X (formerly Twitter) criticized the move as hypocritical given Superman’s origin as an immigrant from another planet.
“Superman himself would be disappointed in you, Dean,” one user wrote.
Cain replied: “Not a chance.”
While Cain is known today for his staunch MAGA views, he has expressed progressive opinions on Superman’s legacy. He previously supported Michael B. Jordan as a potential Black Superman and praised James Gunn’s reboot despite right-wing backlash over its pro-migrant themes.
Federal Response and Policy Shift
His video follows a recruitment push from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who issued a press release urging Americans to enlist in ICE:
“Your country is calling you to serve… This is a defining moment in our nation’s history.”
Critics noted Cain’s age — well above the previous 37-year-old cutoff — but recent policy changes appear to have eliminated the age restriction.
Superman Legacy vs Real-World Politics
Cain has remained closely tied to the Superman brand, recently endorsing a meme of Trump in a red cape and tights, despite backlash pointing out Superman’s status as an alien refugee.
In 2019, Cain also starred alongside Kristy Swanson in FBI Lovebirds: Undercovers, a stage satire of the text scandal involving FBI agents Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, dubbed by Politico as “Hamilton for the MAGA crowd.”
As Cain continues his public alignment with Trump-era immigration policies, fans and critics alike remain divided over whether the actor’s real-world actions contradict the ideals of the character he once portrayed.
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