Actor Ben McKenzie criticized the proposed Clarity Act, urging Senate Democrats to reject it due to the absence of an ethics provision intended to restrict President Trump's influence in the cryptocurrency sector. McKenzie, a key crypto critic and documentary filmmaker, emphasized the need for ethical oversight as a major concern surrounding the bill, which aims to provide a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency. He stated that passing the bill without ethics provisions would enable Trump’s alleged crypto corruption and called on senators to make a principled stand against it, warning that votes for the bill would not be forgotten.

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‘OC’ actor Ben McKenzie urges Senate to vote down crypto bill

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by Julia Shapero - 07/14/26 2:50 PM ET

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Actor Ben McKenzie, best known for his role on the TV drama “The OC,” urged Senate Democrats on Tuesday to vote against a cryptocurrency regulation bill over the lack of an ethics provision limiting President Trump’s involvement in the industry.

McKenzie has become a key crypto critic, releasing a documentary about the industry last year called “Everyone Is Lying to You for Money.” He joined several Senate Democrats on Capitol Hill who have opposed the Clarity Act, as the bill appears poised to head to a vote on the Senate floor in the coming weeks.

“The Clarity Act is meant to provide regulatory clarity on cryptocurrency, and yet it has no ethics provision to prevent or even diminish President Trump’s crypto corruption,” McKenzie said at a press conference Tuesday.

“I would say that admission provides a lot of clarity when it comes to what the crypto industry actually cares about,” he continued. “They are perfectly fine enabling Trump’s crypto corruption, so long as they too become filthy rich in the process.”

“Unfortunately, it appears that the majority of the Republican caucus is also fine with this arrangement, but it is unacceptable for any Democrat to vote for the Clarity Act without an ethics provision,” he added.

The Clarity Act aims to provide a regulatory framework for the industry, splitting oversight between two financial regulators.

The bill, which senators have been negotiating for almost a year, is facing a crucial moment, as experts warn the next month represents the last likely window for it to pass before the midterm elections.

A key point of contention throughout negotiations has been Trump and his family’s various crypto ventures, which financial disclosures show generated about $1.2 billion in income for the president last year.

Democrats have long pushed for an ethics provision that would limit elected officials’ ability to profit off the industry. This continues to be one of the main hurdles for the bill, which requires at least seven Democratic votes to clear the Senate.

“For those senators on the fence, I want to make one thing abundantly clear: you cannot say you oppose Trump’s crypto corruption and then vote to enable that same corruption,” McKenzie said.

“If you vote against Clarity, you will be on the right side of history,” he continued. “If you vote for Clarity, you can be damn sure we will not forget the truth. Voting against Clarity offers every senator an opportunity to go on the record and do the right thing.”

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Tags Ben McKenzie Clarity Act crypto Cryptocurrency Industry Financial Regulators President Trump Senate Democrats The Clarity Act