🔗 Share this article Robert Redford Stood as a Ethical Agent of Positive Change, Says Watergate Exposé Reporter Bob Woodward The Renowned Journalist, brought to life on screen by Robert Redford in the 1976 investigative drama the Watergate Film, has paid tribute to the departed actor, calling him “a noble and principled force for good”. A Lasting Friendship In a statement shared on social media, Woodward disclosed that he and Redford had been friends for half a century and that he “held him in high regard” for his friendship, his fierce autonomy, and his dedication to using his influence to make the world better, fairer, and more hopeful for people everywhere. Redford’s Role in Watergate Exposure Woodward emphasized that Redford was instrumental in exposing the Watergate scandal, encouraging both Woodward and Carl Bernstein to narrate the events from the perspective of their investigative experiences. This collaboration resulted in the release of their book the Watergate Chronicle in mid-1974, which came before the president’s stepping down later that year. Redford secured the film adaptation rights and appeared alongside Dustin Hoffman in the acclaimed movie adaptation. Timeless Observations Woodward also recalled recent conversations with Redford, in which the actor stated that he had revisited the film in recent years and was “astonished” by how appropriate and timely it remained, noting that “little has really changed”. Redford commented, “We don’t have Nixon any more, we have Trump”. “Our nation exists where we are unable to call ourselves the USA. We simply cannot. We’re the Politically Fractured Nation because of the political parties and they’re so robust in their anxieties.” On Democracy and Destruction Redford also commented regarding Trump, after Woodward suggested that Trump was attempting to destroy democracy. “[Trump] doesn’t understand [democracy]”, Redford stated. “So it’s easy for him to destroy it. It’s easy to destroy something you don’t understand. You can claim it doesn’t exist.”