Matt Damon Reveals Why He Skipped the Inauguration

Matt Damon and Wife Welcome Baby Girl!
Copyright 2008 Dave Hogan / Getty Images
Actor Matt Damon reveals why he chose to not to attend the inauguration of President Barack Obama, even after he campaigned to put him in office.

''[My wife] Luciana [Barroso] and I decided we wanted to go,'' Damon tells the Miami Herald. "But when I called my contacts from the campaign, they just started laughing: 'We worked on the campaign for two and a half years, and we're not going. Forget it.'"

"But then they called me back the next day and said, 'Hey, we've got two tickets for you, in the bleachers, and you'll actually be able to see Obama take the oath. Just $25,000 apiece.'"

It was then that Damon, husband and father of three daughters, said he decided to watch the inauguration from his couch in Miami Beach.

Damon currently has an 'Untitled Jason Bourne Project' in the works for a 2010 release.

Published 1/27/09 by the Insider

Comments (14)

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  • liaotian 1/23/10 Reply
  • jingcam 1/22/10 Reply
  • I feel much better after having been treated so crappy by Obama; at least Obama seems to be no respecter of persons. Hell, even his family lives in a shack, and his aunt is here illegally! Liberals! "Progressives!" More like... IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!! OF COURSE Obama would make you pay, Matt! You're "the rich!" Welcome to (echem) the "change." (That word used to be reserved for women in their 50's about something not as pleasant as Obama's intention of that word!)
    Anonymous 8/13/09 Reply
  • I was somewhat sad to see him campaigning so hard to start with, so this makes me smile. Good choice :)
    Anonymous 6/2/09 Reply
  • berlin7853@yahoo.com
    Anonymous 3/1/09 Reply
  • what the hell are you people giving matt damon crap for not dishing 25 thousand dollars to go see obama put his hand on a book and recite a few words? did you pay 25 k to go to the inauguration? hell were you even there? i kno i wasnt
    Anonymous 1/31/09 Reply
  • Barack o bummer is no different from Bush. trust me hes too stupid
    Anonymous 1/28/09 Reply
  • My oh my, what have you become? Maybe you should get more acquainted with that couch. You still appear to absolutely get nothing. Sorry "your contacts" or "your people" didn't work for you. There's nothing like trying being real and building real relations. You guys are so lost in your own little bubble world. It would take a genuine miracle to pull you out of it to wake you back up to who ya really are. Hollywood is going down the drain and it will even more so in the future. Unfortunately, for the talent of few with good acting abilities the rest will become a huge joke compared to mainstream population. Means hardly nothing anymore. Sad in a way but reality, just like not getting a personal invite. Sorry, it's the way the cookie crumbles sometimes especially when we take it all for granted too often.
    Anonymous 1/27/09 Reply
  • Why does he just keep disappointing? -He's become too celebritized... to expectant of everything. Wake up call! What's up with living in Florida?...Way I see it, it won't even be on tge map in a few years to come. But he's a "super star" who sees all things in all places at all times and still chose Miami to raise a "loving family". Not knockin it, it's his choice, right. Sorry Matt but you don't get my vote. Shut up and go sit on the bleachers or suck it up on your couch. Who cares any longers. Obama went around and personally got to know people and personally invited people to various events taking place that day and night. Sorry you were not personally invited. Maybe you should look into yourself for that one. You celebs are something else! Obama cares about the real people of all of culture & humanity - making differences globally. Not people who "claim" they give here or "go there" and aren't passionate for cause or unity. Or are sponsoring him in his name and cause by buying up Rolex's and preaching Obama while on the green! Black or white, he's got more than enough to deal with quite frankly than to cater to celebs and their fixed demands. Least of his worries. So sit on your couch and see what you're able to see. When's the last time you've really cared enough to give of yourself beyond condition?
    Anonymous 1/27/09 Reply
  • you rock matt i would have stayed hom too love you guys fran b. staten island n.y.
    Anonymous 1/27/09 Reply
  • wow, why charge so much? who gets the money?
    Anonymous 1/27/09 Reply
  • Hey, stars should not be treated any different then any of us. I would have loved to have been there. But could not afford to go.
    Anonymous 1/27/09 Reply
  • Smart man!
    Anonymous 1/27/09 Reply
  • wow;)
    NeverLetGo 1/27/09 Reply