Angelina Jolie's Dad Defends Brad Pitt's Mom

There’s nothing like controversy to bring a family together.

our editor recommends

Brad Pitt's Mother Pens Anti-Gay, Anti-Obama Letter to Local Newspaper

Brad Pitt's Brother Responds to Jane Pitt's Anti-Obama Letter (Video)

Brad Pitt’s father-in-law-to-be -- Jon Voight -- spoke out in defense of the superstar’s mother, Jane, who has come under intense fire because she wrote a letter to her local newspaper expressing conservative Christian social views—and a preference for Mitt Romney over President Barack Obama.

STORY: Brad Pitt's Mother Pens Anti-Gay, Anti-Obama Letter to Local Newspaper  

Academy Award-winner Voight, is more than just Angelina Jolie’s dad, he’s also one of Hollywood’s most reliable conservative voices. On Tuesday, he flatly told Fox News that he agrees with Jane Pitt’s views. “Good for her” for expressing them, Voight said. 

The controversy concerning Pitt’s mom arose after she wrote a letter to Missouri’s Springfield News-Leader in which she described Obama as “a liberal who supports the killing of unborn babies and same-sex marriage.” The paradox is that Jane Pitt’s missive was intended as a plea for tolerance and a response to another News-Leader correspondent who argued that Christians should not vote for Romney because he’s a Mormon. The star’s mother argued that fellow Christians should give “prayerful consideration” to supporting the presumptive GOP nominee, who she called a man of “high morals” whose values she contrasted with those of Obama.

VIDEO: Brad Pitt's Brother Responds to Jane Pitt's Anti-Obama Letter 

Because of her famous son, the roof fell in, and Pitt quickly found herself being reviled as a homophobe. 

A number of leading conservative commentators, including Rush Limbaugh, also have come to Jane Pitt’s defense. The most extensive defense so far, however, has come from National Review Online columnist Michelle Malkin, who pointed out that much of the anti-Pitt vitriol has involved figures associated with Hollywood and gay groups based in California. Malkin accused both of advancing a double standard, which advocated tolerance—except for views like Jane Pitt’s.

She quoted extensively from the deluge of often-obscene Tweets that have surged through social media. One read: “BRAD PITT’S MOM WROTE AN ANTI-GAY PRO-ROMNEY EDITORIAL. KILL THE B***H.” Another: “Brad Pitt’s mom, die,” while another read, “Brad Pitt’s mother . . . what a brainless old b***h..”

Earlier this week, Brad’s brother, Doug went on NBC’s Today to defend their mother, who is declining further comment. “You know,” he said, “I think moms and dads and kids agree to disagree all over
the world. So why would our family be any different? There can be healthy discussion when people disagree with you. The bad thing is when it turns to venom and negativity, and we don’t have that in our family. It’s open discussion. We can learn from each other, and if anything, it solidifies your point. Or maybe you learn something.”