Previously “woke” TV creators are shaking up their stories to keep up with the changing political scene and viewer desires.
At a Glance
- “The White Lotus” cut a scene involving a non-binary character after Trump’s re-election.
- Disney removed a transgender storyline from Pixar’s “Win or Lose.”
- Both moves reflect how politics influence content decisions in modern entertainment.
- Creators cited concerns about properly addressing complex identity issues.
‘The White Lotus’ Adjusts Narrative Post-Election
Carrie Coon, who plays Laurie in season three of HBO’s “The White Lotus,” recently revealed that a key storyline involving her character’s non-binary child was removed after Donald Trump’s re-election. The scene was originally intended to show Laurie navigating her child’s use of they/them pronouns during a dinner conversation, which also included a revelation that one guest had voted for Trump.
Coon explained that the storyline was meant to heighten the show’s social commentary, making the Trump-related dialogue feel more personally offensive within the context of Laurie’s family dynamic. However, show creator Mike White ultimately decided to omit the plot point, stating the topic was “so big” and the scene “so small” that it wasn’t the appropriate way to engage the issue. His remarks were reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.
Watch a quick recap of the cut White Lotus scene here.
Disney Alters ‘Win or Lose’ Content
Similar editorial decisions were made at Disney, where a transgender storyline was cut from Pixar’s upcoming animated series “Win or Lose.” According to a company spokesperson, the dialogue referencing a character’s gender identity was dropped out of consideration for how parents might prefer to handle such discussions with their children. The character remains part of the series, but the identity elements were quietly removed before release.
“When it comes to animated content for a younger audience, we recognize that many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline,” the spokesperson told the San Francisco Chronicle. Chanel Stewart, the transgender voice actor originally involved, expressed disappointment at the decision.
Creative Choices in a Polarized Culture
These developments reveal the complex decision-making behind TV and film production amid ongoing political and cultural polarization. In both cases, producers opted to sidestep storylines dealing with gender identity—topics that remain hotly debated in the broader public arena. While creators like White continue to tackle sensitive themes, there’s increasing pressure to balance narrative integrity with the perceived readiness of audiences to receive them.
As “The White Lotus” continues its third season set in Thailand, and “Win or Lose” prepares for its Disney+ debut, the choices made in editing rooms underscore the influence of political narratives on media. Whether these omissions are viewed as censorship or prudence, they signal how the entertainment industry navigates sensitive cultural shifts.
