Conservative Actors Recall Secret Hollywood Club Amid Rising 'Woke' Culture

Patricia Heaton, known for her role on ‘Everybody Loves Raymond,’ spoke on a podcast about Friends of Abe, a clandestine organization founded during the Obama presidency for conservative and independent figures in entertainment. The group, named after Abraham Lincoln, grew from a small core that included Gary Sinise and Kelsey Grammar into a loose network of thousands, with a New York City chapter that the author joined around 2012.

Heaton described how, five to fifteen years ago, voicing conservative opinions could lead to severe professional repercussions, citing Gina Carano’s removal from a Disney show after criticizing the treatment of conservatives. The article notes that even questioning progressive positions on trans issues or President Donald Trump could result in bans within the New York theater scene. Although the author observes a modest thaw—more celebrities now discuss faith and conservative ideas—the industry remains predominantly progressive, and the need for such a club underscores past intolerance. He concludes by expressing pride in the Friends of Abe legacy and hopes for greater conservative influence in media.