Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush blasted actor Matt Damon on social media for the Hollywood A-lister’s decision to send his own children to a private school after publicly campaigning about the importance of public education.
Here is what Florida’s 43rd governor tweeted on Monday:
In an interview with the
The Guardian published on Friday, Damon acknowledged that he was sending his own three daughters and stepdaughter to a private school in the Los Angeles area rather than the local public school system.
Editor's Note: Should ObamaCare Be Repealed? Vote in Urgent National Poll
"Sending our kids in my family to private school was a big, big, big deal. And it was a giant family discussion. But it was a circular conversation, really, because ultimately we don't have a choice," Damon told the publication.
"I mean, I pay for a private education and I'm trying to get the one that most matches the public education that I had, but that kind of progressive education no longer exists in the public system. It's unfair."
The publication noted Damon's public campaign against teachers' pay being pegged to children's test results.
"So we agitate about those things, and try to change them, and try to change the policy, but you know, it's a tough one," said Damon, who grew up with five other families in a Boston commune.
Citing early reviews, the
Breitbart website described Damon's latest movie "Elysium" as a "big-budget action film that condemns a future Los Angeles where the super-rich use their wealth and privilege to separate themselves and their families from the city's poor."
The 42-year-old son of a teacher can be seen on
YouTube extolling the virtues of his public education at a 2011 Save Our Schools rally.
Editor's Note: ObamaCare Is About to Strike Are You Prepared?
"From the time I was in kindergarten ... all the way through my high school graduation, I attended public schools. And I would not trade that education, that experience, for anything. I had incredible teachers," he said to cheers.