Political Rift Drives Jen and Brad Apart—for Good

Jennifer Aniston has filed for divorce from Brad Pitt, ending months of speculation that the two had healed the political rift that drove them apart in January. Meanwhile, Mr. Pitt has once again been spotted in the company of liberal activist Angelina Jolie.

Jolie denies plans to run for office, citing 'skeletons in my closet'

By Russell D'Arby

HOLLYWOOD, CA—Jennifer Aniston filed for divorce from Brad Pitt on Friday, ending months of speculation that the two were on the verge of healing the political differences that pushed them apart back in January. Ms. Aniston's divorce petition, filed in California Superior Court, cited irreconcilable differences.

The news came as no surprise to friends of the couple, celebrity watchers and the a-list duo's millions—even billions—of fans. Aniston and Pitt shocked the world earlier this year when they announced that they were formally separating, ending their 4-year marriage.

A red/blue couple
When news of the high-profile split hit the airwaves, the Hollywood gossip machine immediately blamed famously liberal actress Angelina Jolie for the split, noting that she and Mr. Pitt had become close during the shooting of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith." But sources close to the couple say that it was political differences that drove Mr. Pitt and Ms. Aniston apart—differences that the famously liberal Ms. Jolie only aggravated.

Tension between the stars first appeared during the 2004 presidential election, say sources, when Mr. Pitt chose to throw his "Troy"-buffed weight behind Democratic nominee John Kerry, a move that Ms. Aniston thought was disrespectful to President George W. Bush. "That was what started it all," says a source close to the actress. "She started to feel like she didn't know the man she was living with. That they couldn't even have a conversation without real differences coming out."

Counseling fails
The couple reportedly entered into counseling in early February, seeking the high-profile services of Elaine O'Connell, the Washington, DC based therapist who has assisted such famously independent couples as James Carville and Mary Matalin, and Lynn Cheney and her daughter Mary.

But their effort to heal the festering political divisions failed, say friends, when the couple became embroiled in yet another dispute, this one over President Bush's plan to introduce private Social Security accounts. Ms. Aniston, who earns more than $10 million per film, is said to be a strong supporter of Mr. Bush's privatization initiative, while Mr. Pitt has cast his allegiance with such Democratic stalwarts as Senator Harry Reid and the AARP.

Says a source close to the actress: "She just really feels that people should have the freedom to invest their own money, that we don't need a nanny government making those choices for us. That was really the straw that broke the camel's back."

True love—then 9/11
Pitt, 41, and Aniston, 35, began dating in the spring of 1998 and quickly emerged as one of the most watched celebrity couples in Hollywood. They tied the knot in 2000, joined by 200 of their friends as they said "I do" in an extravagant ceremony in Malibu.

But the couple's wedded bliss hit a serious speed bump when hijackers flew commercial airliners into the World Trade Center on September 11. Mr. Pitt was reportedly opposed to military action in Afghanistan, while Ms. Pitt believed that the situation demanded a strong military response, not the police action that her new husband seemed to advocate.

A political future?
Mr. Pitt has reportedly expressed interest in running for office in the near future, although sources close to the star of "Ocean's Twelve," "Fight Club," and "Seven Years in Tibet" say that he hasn't yet determined whether he will confine his political ambitions to the state level, or enter into the national political fray.

Ms. Jolie, Mr. Pitt's costar and reported romantic interest, doused reports that she plans to run for office over the weekend, telling reporters that "I think I've got too many skeletons in my closet for politics."

Send this page by entering the recipient's e-mail:

Comments

[JEN]

JENIFER IS IDIOT. THAT WHY BRAD LEFT HER FOR ANOTHER SMART GIRL.SHE TOO UGLY TO ME.

[JEN]

YOU CAN'T COMPARE BETWEEN NICOLE KIDMAN AND ANISTON. AFTER DIVORCED.NICOLE VERY QUIET. SHE ACT CLASS.BUT ANISTON DOESN'T.

[jared]

c'mon they got a fricken divorce because they obviously didnt wanna be together-they got married because of the pressure...its called hollywood-ya ever heard of it? 2 moron celebs got married and got a divorce-it isnt the end of the f***ing world

[Giacomo]

....you people, to be this much concerned about 3 people who dont give 2 craps about you is just.....sick ! The planet is now spinning out of control, and all you people care about is, whats on TV tonight?

[Saddned]

It is very disturbing to see how the media used a personal tragedy, a divorce, to sell papers. That anyone except the people involved should be speculating about others private lives, is sad indeed. It is no one's business, regardless of your personal opinion. This is such a non-issue. People would rather distract themselves with the personal lives of celebrities than with the real issues facing us (and there are many grave issues facing us as a society and as human beings). If people really cared about Jennifer, Brad, and Angelina, they wouldn't buy any newspapers or magazines about their private lives. Movie stars want to entertain us, but at the movie theatre, or on television, not with their personal lives! Who among us would want to be subjected to this type of scrutiny? No one! No one should be. Shame on us. We are to blame, as individuals. It won't stop because we "feed" on it. In my opinion, they don't pay movie stars enough, if we to be "entertained" by their "private" lives as well. If we truly put ourselves in their shoes, this type of thing (media feeding frenzy) wouldn't happen. We should all feel ashamed of ourselves, and we shouldn't dehumanize people simply because we dissagree with them. Please. Movie stars are human beings too. There. Someone had to say it.

[Wanda]

It is very sad when a marriage breaks up and I wish both of them the best. I am certain they each approached the marriage with good will and hope that it would turn out. Also, I do not feel the Liberals or Conservatives have anything to gain from name calling. People see things different ways. Some people like Democrats and some like Republicans. It is just not dignified to descend to the level of hating each other or calling people stupid for their choices. There are many solid arguments for both sides and both sides feel they have the correct view point, no doubt. Some people believe that by not going to war, they bring peace while others believe they have to fight to preserve it. There may be cases where both prevail and we should not be so separate in our views but meet in the middle, and above all, have respect for ourselves and for others in the way we speak and write about them.

Remember, we can easily lose our dignity and humanity and it is up to us to make the choice voice our opinions with respect and consideration for both sides.

[Merideth]

It's not surprising only few couples in Hollywood stick together till the end.Hopefully both of them will learn from their mistakes.Good luck!

[Dingbatt Smith]

MIND YOUR OWN DAMN BIZ AND GET A LIFE PEOPLE!!!

[trish]

Jennifer is a nice person and I do not believe this crap. It is all a published to make Brad look good. They are trying to black ball her in Hollywood to make him look good. I think Jennifer will come out of this good like Kidman did. The Alist hollywood type like to make the lothers look bad. I feel for Jennifer and Brad. Angelina used you with her kid and all her devotion to her causes. You are a fool and need to be devoted to a real women like Jennifer. I feel sorry for you Brad. God Bless You both.
Trish

[Ima LittleTeaPot]

All actors think they are playing and stand the risk of being caught not really knowing what they're doing.

For once, two of them are right!

She's Jenny One Note
Her life is the movie Ground Hog Day. She just wakes up with a different script every day.

and he
?
What is up with the way this guy talks? His psuedo valley-boy, not really a lisp, not northern western southern or eastern accent...oh lord! now I've started on him and accents. This could go on til doomsday. He's just a "head". Add Brad One Note to him as well.

Come to think of it they are a PERFECT couple!!

Two peas in a pod or seeds in a pitt...

(bless me fatha for I has sinned)

[Nadine]

It is just like people having been saying for the last few years, it is too easy to get divorced. I heard many reason as to why people get divored, but this one takes the cake. If Jen really loved him, how could she let they political differences split them apart, is that more important then how they feel about one another? What kind of message is this sending out to readers, young people have choose them as role models, and she is basically saying that politics are more important then her love for her husband. What happened to for better or for worse. People have divorced for adultry and abuse, how does political choice rate? I'm 37 years old, married with 5 children, my husband and I don't have the same views on everything, especially when it comes to hockey, but I would never divorce him for that, you and your spouse can't have everything in common, how boring would that be, it would be like being married to yourself. I really thought she would come up with a better reason for divorce than that, saying it political reasons, just makes her look weak. She is basically saying if she has to have things her way, which is so sad, and I truly feel sorry for Brad, but I also believe thing happen for a reason, and for Brad things can only get better, but when its time to date again, he should truly think of dating someone who is not in the lime light, someone who doesn't have to make a name for herself, someone who would love him for who he is as a person. As for Brad, you can't dwell on the past, what happen has happened, but there is always tomorrow, don't look for love it will come to you, someone out there does love you for you, not who you are. Best wishes Brad.

[Marcia]

It has finally come to fruition. I have always sensed Jennifer Aniston is a self-involved, arrogant, witless little "girl". Brad Pitt, on the other hand, has a compassionate sense for the average "Joe/Jane Black". He is not egotistical. Most certainly, Mr. Pitt deserves a woman with far more integrity and empathy for people. Imo, Brad would make a marvelous parent - something the not-so-great self-serving Aniston doesn't care to consider. Only SHE counts. (Yeah, right...) A spiritually evolved person would be able to connect with the pain and suffering of our sisters and brothers around the world. All of the others are in it simply for themselves. Unless one is a self-proclaimed atheist/satanist, the hypocrisy of LOVE doesn't register among the spiritually clueless. Brad, get the hell away from this misguided narcissistic twit and truly begin your life. It is YOU who is on the right path. Hate/war/murder doesn't belong in your soul. These negative attitudes only belong in the dark souls of hypocrites who proclaim life and love, but have no intention of waking up to the Light and spreading their fortune to those who truly need. Aniston *ain't* worth a damn.

[Mimi Schaeffer]

I could never date, much less marry a man who did not share my worldview.

You don't have to be a Democrat, but if you agree with the death penalty and don't have a modicum of spiritual light in your core, F-O-R-G-E-T it!

Not that I'm that much a catch at the age of 53. But hey, I still have my standards.

[Dark]

Heeeeeeeeey... Angelina Jolie is no home-wrecker! The real home-wreckers are you foul-gossip people!!!

[Murph Koons]

If I had to accept the bad Bush to get the sweet bush I'd have to do a Brad and go Bushfree!

[sara]

aww, this whole situation is so sad, they were the only hollywood couple which i actually liked, just so cute for eachother. Maybe one day they'll get back together again and live happily ever after.

[Freedom Man]

Brad Pitt is the man. Go Brad. Maybe he can kick some Arnold butt in the political ring. Too many sleazy salesmen in office these days.

And Washington is pretty much taken over by Communists now. They are looking to steal all the nation's wealth for themselves -- calling their take earned on merit or some bull like that. Just what the Soviet Commies did in the Kremlin till they got theirs. Franklin Roosevelt did a damn good job kicking the Commies out of Washington, but now they're back, and with a southern drawl to boot. I guess this makes Aniston a Communist too.

[Heather]

This is satire. Anniston is not a Bush fan. Also, Bush is the creepy one. He looks inbred. His eyes are so close together they almost touch.

[Heather]

This is satire. Also, Bush is the creepy one. He looks inbred. His eyes are so close together they almost touch.

[Heather]

This is satire Bilbo. Anniston is not a Bush fan. Also, Bush is the creepy one. He looks inbred. His eyes are so close together they almost touch.

[Cerph]

I'm dismayed after reading the other posts. How people can get obvious delight at the misfortunes of others, regardless of their station in life, sickens me. I fear we, as a culture, are drifting into a depression that will have repercussions far more important than we fear to realize.

When we allow the murder of the defensless (Schiavo), while concomittantly defending our right to invade other nations with "shock and awe", we are witnessing the destruction and collapse of a once great nation.

It happened in ancient Rome, and I fear it's happening here. The last gasp of lost power by the owners of said power. Tyranosaurus Rex once ruled the earth, and his time came and went.

So it goes.

[Holly Z]

Hmmmm... Maybe America has figured out that there truly is a divide in this country. All it takes is the tabloids to report how serious the issue is before we start to notice. Brad and Jen are only one couple. The red/blue divide in this country is tearing at the fabric of families and couples across the nation.

Not only do we have to contend with our own country being ripped at the seams by polarized political beliefs, the war and what it's doing to our economy
will only make things worse as we continue to fool ourselves that the United States had a noble cause in overtaking Iraq.

Our own country's division over this issue pales in contrast to how we are despised and hated around the world. Forget Brad and Jen. Forget J.Lo. WAKE UP AMERICA!!!! When are you going to figure out what's happenening!! Tabloid journalism would serve us better by reporting the real news!!!

[storm]

ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Barbara Dixon]

Someone lets their marriage fall apart over a person like George Bush? That is sad. He is a stupid evil destructive man, but I didn't think he could destroy marriages.

Jennifer must be really stupid too, if you supports anything George Bush does or says. Brad Pitt is much better off without her.

[awdfasdf]

Who cares people.......Who cares.