Ben Stiller is facing backlash after his poorly timed tweet was mistaken as a reaction to the shooting that broke out during Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
The actor, a lifelong superfan of the New York Knicks, had been posting all evening to root for his beloved team as they faced off against the Atlanta Hawks, and when they eventually won 114-98, Stiller tweeted, “Got it done.”
However, the post came about 20 minutes after a gunman fired shots in the hotel hosting the WHCD, causing President Donald Trump and his guests to be rushed out of the venue, and Stiller’s post prompted MAGA supporters to descend upon him and accuse him of making light of the shooting.
Republican lawmaker Nancy Mace replied to the post, “Got what done?”
Richard Grenell, former director of the Kennedy Center, simply said in response: “Wtf?”
One X user wrote, “Sorry Ben; your guy missed. I really wish your side would stop trying to assassinate people you disagree with.” Another criticized, “The timing of this tweet was pretty insane.”
Other users jumped in to defend Stiller, with one writing, “Maga people are so stupid that they can’t figure out that you are talking about the Knicks game.”
Another added: “I think maybe the people in the replies not knowing this is about basketball are the ones with Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
Stiller is a vocal critic of the Trump administration, but there is no indication that his tweets were related to Saturday’s security scare. His representatives did not immediately return The Independent’s request for comment about the backlash.
The suspect from Saturday’s incident has been named as 31-year-old California man Cole Tomas Allen. He is charged with firearms and assault charges and will be arraigned Monday, federal officials confirmed.
During the shooting, the gunman shot and injured one Secret Service agent, who has since been released from the hospital. Police said no one was seriously injured in the alleged attack.
U.S. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said officials believe the gunman was targeting Trump and his cabinet members.
“It does appear that he, he did, in fact, have set out to target folks that work in the administration, likely including the President,” Blanche said in an interview on NBC News’ Meet The Press.
The annual black-tie dinner was canceled, with Trump later applauding law enforcement for their quick response at a White House press conference.
“Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “They acted quickly and bravely. The shooter has been apprehended, and I have recommended that we ‘LET THE SHOW GO ON’ but, will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement. They will make a decision shortly. Regardless of that decision, the evening will be much different than planned, and we’ll just, plain, have to do it again.”
