‘Finding Dory’: Trump’s Ironic Choice for First White House Screening After Travel Ban Order

"Finding Dory" is the 2016 follow-up to "Finding Nemo", but this time the spotlight is on the forgetful fish, Dory, voiced by Ellen DeGeneres. The film was a Box Office hit, garnering $1.028 billion. Ironically, this well-loved movie about family and a diverse cast of friends helping each other is the first movie US President Donald Trump watched in the White House.

"Finding Dory" is an ironic choice after the travel ban

Last Friday, Trump signed an executive order blocking US entry from citizens coming from Syria, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Sudan, Libya, and Somalia for 90 days. Trump said that this was to ensure that Islamic terrorists would not gain access to the US, but the decision was met with severe disapproval and fear. The executive decision, especially, prohibits entry for 120 days for all refugees.

On Sunday, Trump watched "Finding Dory" with his family at 3 PM in the White House, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The tradition started from as early as 1900 when the presidential family would watch Hollywood films in the White House, courtesy of the film studios. The first movie that was up for theater screening inside the historical establishment was 1915 film "The Birth of a Nation".

‘Finding Dory’ Director @AndrewStanton and Voice Cast Reacts to Trump’s Screening of Pixar Film https://t.co/VQMJ4hIWmI pic.twitter.com/KoqrpqUN6o

— Cartoon Brew (@cartoonbrew) January 30, 2017

"Finding Dory" revolves around family and a reunion across continents

When Trump's official press schedule was revealed, many people couldn't help expressing their opinions on social media. The White House had released a statement on the president's executive order, saying that it was not a Muslim ban, and that the order did not discriminate against religion. Despite the statement, people continued to disapprove the order.

Albert Brooks, who voiced Marlin in the "Finding Dory" film, said that Trump's choice was hugely ironic. The Guardian reports that the actor wrote in a Tweet, "Odd that Trump is watching Finding Dory today, a movie about reuniting with family when he's preventing it in real life." The sentiment came after reports of green-card and visa holders and pre-approved refugees were detained at US airports after Trump's executive order. Although the lead star, Ellen DeGeneres, did not comment about the screening of "Finding Dory", she did tweeted about the travel ban.

Sean Spicer, the White House secretary, said on Twitter that the president didn't actually watch the film. He greeted and thanked guests before getting back to work. The film puts a lot of emphasis on marine life damaged by climate change, which Trump, ironically, continues to deny. Perhaps if the new US president had watched "Finding Dory", he might actually change his mind about some of his policies.

P.S. My grandparents were immigrants. The woman making us pizza right now is Muslim. And I'm grateful for all of them. #NoBan — Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) January 29, 2017