‘They Framed Nixon’: Bill Murray Stuns Fans With Political Comments During Latest Interview

Bill Murray is known for his dry wit and offbeat humor, but his latest comments have left fans in shock. In a recent interview, the legendary actor and comedian took aim at investigative journalist Bob Woodward, accusing him of distorting the truth—not just about his late friend John Belushi, but also about former President Richard Nixon.

Murray’s remarks stem from his experience reading Wired: The Short Life & Fast Times of John Belushi, Woodward’s controversial 1984 biography of the Saturday Night Live star. The book, which chronicled Belushi’s tragic descent into drug addiction and eventual overdose, was widely condemned at the time of its release by those who knew him best.

During the interview with Joe Rogan, Murray recalled reading only a few pages before realizing that Woodward’s portrayal of Belushi was, in his view, deeply flawed—leading him to reevaluate Woodward’s reporting on Nixon.

“When I read Wired, the book written by, what’s his name, Woodward, about Belushi, I read like five pages of Wired and I went, ‘Oh my God, they framed Nixon,’” Murray said.

“Like, all of a sudden I went, ‘Oh my God, if this is what he writes about my friend that I’ve known, you know, for half of my adult life, which is completely inaccurate, talking to like the people of the outer, outer circle getting the story—what the hell could they have done to Nixon?’”

Murray admitted that he didn’t finish the book, but the parts he did read left him convinced that Woodward had relied on questionable sources.

“I just felt like, if he did this to my friend like this—and I acknowledge I only read five pages—but the five pages I read, you know, made me want to like set fire to the whole thing,” he said. “If he did this to Belushi, what he did to Nixon is probably soiled for me too. I can’t take it.”

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Woodward, best known for his Washington Post reporting on the Watergate scandal that ultimately led to Nixon’s resignation, has long been regarded as one of America’s most respected journalists. But Murray’s comments suggest he sees Woodward as a manipulator of narratives rather than a seeker of truth.

Bill Murray and John Belushi were close friends and colleagues during the early days of Saturday Night Live (SNL). Their bond extended beyond the show, as they worked together on projects like National Lampoon’s Animal House and Meatballs. Belushi, known for his wild energy and rebellious streak, was one of the brightest comedic stars of his time, but his struggles with substance abuse were well-documented.

Murray joined SNL in its second season (1976), replacing Chevy Chase, and quickly became one of the show’s biggest stars alongside Belushi. The two had an intense but brotherly relationship—Murray has spoken about how they occasionally fought, including a famous backstage brawl at SNL, but always remained friends.

When Belushi died of a drug overdose in 1982, Murray was deeply affected, as were many of Belushi’s closest friends. Bob Woodward’s 1984 book Wired: The Short Life & Fast Times of John Belushi attempted to document the circumstances leading to Belushi’s death. However, the book was widely criticized by those who knew Belushi best, including his wife Judy Belushi-Pisano, and SNL alumni like Dan Aykroyd and Murray.

Many felt Woodward painted an overly negative and sensationalized picture of Belushi, relying too heavily on secondhand sources while ignoring the humor, warmth, and depth of Belushi’s personality.