Though recuperating from heart transplant surgery, the real Charlie Wilson made it to the red carpet premiere of the film.
Charlie Wilson said in a USA Today article that he had no qualms about the film, saying, "Anything I might have objected to, was provable."
Towards the end of the movie, Charlie Wilson is presented with one of the Stingers he helped provide to the Afghanis. In an interview, the real Charlie Wilson said the Stinger is one of his most prized possessions, kept in "a very honored spot in my home."
At the function thrown by Joanne Herring (Julia Roberts) for President Zia (Om Puri), Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks) denies to President Zia that he can guarantee anything, saying that he has already come close to violating the Logan Act, enacted in 1799, early in the U.S. history. It prevents any individual from attempting to negotiate with, or influence, any foreign government over any matter of interest or significance to the U.S. government without the U.S. government's authorization. Since its adoption, no successful prosecution has occurred under the Logan Act, and no member of Congress has ever been charged with a violation of the Logan Act, despite public outcries about various members of Congress views about certain U.S. foreign policies.