Johnny Depp appeared to take a swipe at President Donald Trump’s tariff policies while remaining in character as Ebenezer Scrooge during a surprise appearance at San Diego Comic-Con.
The actor delivered the apparent political joke outside a temporary “Scrooge & Marley” storefront in the city’s Gaslamp Quarter on July 23 while promoting Paramount’s upcoming Ebenezer.
After objecting to Christmas decorations placed on a gate, Depp declared that the property belonged to him and suggested people would be taxed for leaving the garlands there.
“Putting tariffs on the gate,” he added as the surrounding crowd laughed.
Depp Turned Scrooge’s Property Complaint Into a Tariff Joke
Anyone have this on their bingo card? Johnny Depp makes a Trump tariff joke while dressed as Scrooge at San Diego Comic-Con to promote his new movie “Ebenezer.”
— Entertainment Weekly (@EW)
July 23, 2026
Depp appeared in aged prosthetic makeup, gray hair, a long Victorian overcoat and a top hat as he interacted with performers and fans outside the Comic-Con installation.
At one point, he began removing garlands from the gate and called the decorations poisonous. When another performer explained that they were intended to spread Christmas cheer, Depp insisted that they had been placed on his property.
He then argued that the decorations were subject to taxes before delivering the tariff line captured in a video shared by Entertainment Weekly.
The Appearance Was Not Listed on the Comic-Con Schedule
Johnny Depp makes a surprise appearance as Ebenezer Scrooge at Comic-Con and says the infamous phrase “Humbug!”
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE)
July 23, 2026
Depp’s arrival had not been advertised on Comic-Con’s official schedule, although a crowd formed near the storefront as rumors spread that he might appear.
He emerged from the building in full costume and continued addressing people as Dickens’ famously bitter businessman. Depp shouted “Humbug!” and questioned why the fans surrounding him had enough free time to stand in the street.
He also encountered attendees dressed as characters from his earlier films, including Captain Jack Sparrow and Edward Scissorhands. Depp later entered Hall H during a Directors on Directing panel and introduced the first public trailer for Ebenezer while still wearing Scrooge’s costume.
The Trailer Presents ‘Ebenezer’ as Depp’s Return
After referencing Jack Sparrow, Edward Scissorhands and the Mad Hatter, it introduces the actor as “the master of misfits.” The footage then shows Scrooge confronting figures from his past, present and possible future before Depp looks toward the camera and says, “It’s good to be back.” Ti West, whose directing credits include X, Pearl and MaXXXine, directed the adaptation from a screenplay by Nathaniel Halpern.
Ian McKellen plays Jacob Marley, with Andrea Riseborough as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Tramell Tillman as the Ghost of Christmas Present and Rupert Grint as Bob Cratchit. Daisy Ridley, Sam Claflin, Ellie Bamber, Arthur Conti and Charlie Murphy also appear. Paramount will release Ebenezer in theaters on Nov. 13.
Depp Has Targeted Trump With Jokes Before
Depp portrayed Trump in Funny or Die’s 2016 parody Donald Trump’s The Art of the Deal: The Movie. While discussing the performance that year, Depp called Trump a “brat” and questioned the appeal of his presidential campaign.
Depp faced a more serious controversy at England’s Glastonbury Festival in June 2017 after making a joke that referenced the assassination of a president. He apologized the following day, describing the remark as an unsuccessful attempt at humor made without malicious intent.