Sound On: Mark Hamill on Ukraine Aid, "Army of Drones"

why we're seeing private fundraising kick in now. United twenty four is a program that was launched by President Zelenski, launched by the government of Ukraine to help raise money in any number of areas. One of them is acquiring drones, and they've turned to none other than Luke Skywalker for help. Mark Hamill, the actor from Star Wars fame, is now officially signed on as Ukraine's Ambassador of drones, and I had a chance to talk about him, to go deeper

inside how all of this began with Mark Hamill. Listen, well, I appreciate you giving me the coverage because it's it's such a crucial thing. I mean, just to start at the beginning, my wife said, you've been contacted by President Zelenski, and I thought, am I being pranked by one of my merry band of friends. But once we realized it was true, I first I spoke to the people in his administration and then they did a zoom with the president himself and he asked me to join United four,

which is their fundraising platform. And there were different people being involved. Was Live Schreiber and Imagine Dragons and Barbara streisand but we all had different areas. In my particular area was Army of Drones. I think they picked me because it sounds like another episode of Star Wars. I figured that was no accident to have Luke Skywalker by the Ambassador of drones. Well, the thing is very simply, Ukraine needs drones and you know they define war outcomes.

They they protect their land, their people there, they monitor the border, their their eyes in the sky. To donate, you go to you two for dot g o V dot U a forward slash drone nation d R O n A t I O N you two for dot gov dot you a forward slash dronation. And not just we're not just looking for voluntary contributions, but if you have an actual drone that I was really shocked because I mean, they give me these updates at least two or three times a week about what's going on. And

they said that they've received over five drones. So I started this, I know, because you've seen what's gone on in the last week. Russia launched. On Monday, they launched an attack on Ukrainian capital using Iranian made shah Head drones. Thirty seven of the forty three drones were down and and six they say arrived. I bet you she means survived. I mean, I listen kama Kaze drones, you know. I mean, if it's if it's like it wasn't World War two,

that means hit their target and explode. The drone itself is the weapon exactly. And it's just so disheartening to see them attacking civilian outlets, civilian targets, infrastructure, hitting children's playgrounds, schools. It's just awful. And I think after the Ukrainians bombed the Crimean Bridge, it really irritated Putin and he's been particularly brutal since that happened. And you know, I think

of this, it's not just the Ukraine's problem. I think the whole world uh, should be aiding Ukraine because the entire civilized world is united against this hostile invasion by into a sovereign nation the likes of which I've never seen in my lifetime. I guess you have to go back to World War Two to figure out the last time something like this happened. So Um, I was struck by your tweet of October first, and this is the

first time I heard anything about your involvement here. It had the image of a lone X wing fighter colored blue and yellow, facing off with a fleet of star destroyers and had simply the words resist, stand with Ukraine. Was this a personal thing for you? Mark? Absolutely? I mean the thing is, you sit and you watch the New Island news junkie, I read papers every day. I watched the news, and you feel so it seems so futile. I mean, you go what I've you'll still help us?

What can I do? Well? When I was contacted and asked to do this, I didn't have to think for a second. I mean, I'll do whatever they want me to do. And uh, you know, I mean, and I hope you know over a hundred and fifteen countries have donated, which is why I think, Uh, it's it's such a David and Goliath situation. You talked about that poster with this little tiny X wing going up against this gigantic armada of star destroyers. It is very David and Goliath.

So I mean, I like everyone assumed, I guess they invaded on the twenty four February, that they would be offered no resistance, that they just fold. I didn't know much about Ukraine at all. I I knew I knew about President Zelenski after the first impeachment is what robbed him on the radar screen. So I started like researching him and the country of you Crane. You must be

impressed he as an actor. Yes, I didn't go to law school like he did, but you know, life imitates art, and for him to portray this fictional character who winds up becoming to happen in real life, it's, you know, that's that's that's that's a movie in and of itself. I have to ask you, Mark about the debate that's just emerging here in Washington, and it's not one that you're going to be glad to hear about maybe already have.

But Kevin McCarthy, who wants to be the next speaker, says if Republicans take over the House, basically we're going to have a second look at funding for Ukraine. He was telling a punch bowl that you know this is not going to be a blank check. So I guess my question for you is, and we don't have to get political in this interview, is this going to be a private sector fundraising operation much like you're doing as we move forward? Well, I expect to continue until they

say you're you're you're done. I mean, I'm not going to give up. But is this going to replace government funding from the US? I guess is my question him. Look, uh, it's impossible not to get political. The coalition that we have now are our Democrats, independents, and reasonable Republicans that live in the fact based community, you know, because there's

no evidence whatsoever. And I think of all the damaging things the former president did, one that will have reverberate into the future and affect us for years to come, is this election denying things? I have Republican friends, I have independent friends, and we disagree on policy, but it didn't make us enemies. Were still friends. Now it's gotten so toxic. Is this your no, no, I Look, I always vote. I've never not voted up for some reason,

even as a kid. I'm old enough to remember in grade school when Nixon was running against Kennedy, and I didn't know any of the issues. I just knew one sort of beamed sunshine, had a great smile and made people laugh. He was funny. The other one is this glowering, sort of scary eye that reminded me of my one of the teachers I was afraid of at school. If we could get the eighteen to twenty five year old

I don't know what percentage of them voted. I think it's around but whatever the number is, if you get at that up, five young people could rule the world. I mean, I think they've awoken a sleeping giant between the Dobb's decision getting rid of Rogue v Wade and I've never seen an election where a threat to democracy is one of the top issues. Would you come to Washington to testify if if they asked you to on behalf of Ukrainian funding. Look, I'm going to do what

they want me to do. I don't see the value. And I said to them, I said, you know, most people know because of my social media and so forth, that what my politics are. I mean, I was never an activist or a pundit in any way. And I mean I been asked to be on um MSNBC and CNN before, but that was before this, and I always decline because I thought, you know, that's not my area and I should shut up. And I would say to people that, you know, people don't want me to campaign

in their states and so forth. I said, look, it could backfire. I mean, the opposition will point me as an elitist Hollywood celebrity and and so I you know, I have to be very careful about that. But you know, like I say, I'm here to do whatever the Ukrainian government wants me to do. Well, you know, Vladimir Putin certainly knows who you are, which must be odd to think about. What's your message to him? You know, that's funny that you should mention that, because it never occurred

to me that he would. I mean, I guess now you're right. Uh. I just hope he finds a way to save face and you know, declare his version of victory so that he can stop. But you know that's you know, that's just the optimist though, I mean, there's got you've got to find hope where you can find it, and I would hope that there's a way to maneuver him into a situation where he can say, Okay, I've accomplished what I wanted to accomplish. But I don't know.

I mean, you're talking to one of the wealthiest audiences that you'll find in American broadcasting. Here, we're undone Mark. That's what they tell me at least, So so tell them what they can do now to make a difference. Well,

like I say, I mean any amount of money. I mean, kids, give up that pint of Ben and Jerry's and send that ice cream money, or your wealthy viewers and listeners can send as much as they can afford to the website that I mentioned that United absolutely and and and as Mark said, you can donate money, or you can, as they say, dronate a drum. I love that. I thought that was pretty good. Well, I mean that's my

I'd have to tell you. When my kids are always complaining about my Twitter, they go, Dad, your Twitter account is just so full of dad jokes, said, what are you talking about? Dad jokes? That I have three kids and the one said obvious. The second one said full of ponds. The third one said not funny. It said, why you If it makes me laugh, it should make other people laugh, not just all the senior citizens. But

you know you need to do what you can. Well, I just they couldn't have found a better ambassador, a better emissary. And we're delighted you came here to help deliver the message and we're going to spread the word. Mark Hamil, I really appreciate you. Thanks. I appreciate Bloomberg giving me the the airtime because, like I say, it's a it's crucial that we all continue to do whatever we can to make this dreadful war come to an end.

President Zelanski issued a statement upon your meeting and was a photograph of you guys talking there on the screen and the first line is may the Force be with you. Did he say that to you? Yes? Well, the thing is I've always shocked. I mean I was. I was on the air with Jim Acossa. I hadn't had no idea. It was a Star Wars NERD depression on the air, and I find it delightful. But you see, one of the things that I understand about that is that Star

Wars was conceived as a fairy tale for children. George want to tell the story, he said, if he put it in reality would be so corny. You know. He brought back to the old westerns where the good guy wore a white hat, you know, and he thought, the only way to get away with this without people laughing it off the screen is depluting in the galaxy far far away, because it's it's it's it's it's the good is clearly devined. Evil is clearly divined. And they're they're

endlessly optimistic films. They're telling you that if you do the right thing for the right reasons, selflessly, not thinking about your own, you know, not to help yourself, but to help everyone around and you, you will succeed. And those are things that probably resonate with both Jim Acosta and Zelenski. They they you know, they're my son's age. They probably were six or seven years old when they saw those movies. So yeah, not only did he say that,

but he's referred to Russia as the evil Empire. Now, how can you argue with that? Well, I was five and and I'm still watching him, and Mark Hamill thinks I'll tell you if I wasn't an actor, I'd love to have your job, because I told you I'm a news junkie. To get paid to follow what's going on in the world and interview people and write articles, it must be the best job in the world. It's it's well, I get to talk to people like you. It is pretty great. And you know this microphone is yours anytime

you want to host this program. Thanks so much. I really appreciate it. Thank you so much, Mark Hamill for being with us, and good luck with this effort my pleasures. Do you think he'd fill in? I think we haven't fill in on the fastest hour in politic x Mark Hamill for you there only on Bloomberg Radio, an unlikely conversation with an unlikely ambassador at this time of war, and realizing not everyone agrees with his politics. I'm still

glad we could bring you that interview. It's when you will not hear on the radio tonight anywhere else