Hollywood star Chris Pratt, best known for starring in blockbusters like Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World, was just accused of being a white supremacist by Yahoo News simply because he wore a T-shirt that depicted the Gadsden flag.
Fox News reported that Pratt was spotted wearing a shirt that featured the American flag with a coiled rattlesnake in front of it along with the text, “Don’t tread on me.” The rattlesnake in front of the flag along with the motto “Don’t tread on me” was created back in 1775 by American general Christopher Gadsden as a way to symbolize liberty and freedom during the Revolutionary War.
Chris Pratt wears a Gadsden Flag shirt.
This is how it’s reported: https://t.co/x2lB37jfH5 pic.twitter.com/xAaz2k8VBA
— Amy Lutz (@amylutz4) July 17, 2019
After the photos of Pratt surfaced, Yahoo Movies UK printed an article that was originally entitled “Chris Pratt criticized for ‘white supremacist’ T-shirt.”
“Although it is one of the symbols and flags used by the U.S. Men’s Soccer Team, Metallica, as well as some libertarian groups, over the years the flag has been adopted by Far Right political groups like the Tea Party, as well as gun-toting supporters of the Second Amendment,” the article stated. “It has therefore become a symbol of more conservative and far right individuals and, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission of the US, it also is ‘sometimes interpreted to convey racially-tinged messages in some contexts.'”
Social Media Users Defend Chris Pratt
Twitter users immediately rushed to Pratt’s defense, with people like conservative commentator Ben Shapiro slamming Yahoo for publishing the hit-piece.
“This is pure idiocy,” Shapiro tweeted. “Not every symbol of the early republic is a white supremacist symbol, unless you are a moron.”
This is pure idiocy. Not every symbol of the early republic is a white supremacist symbol, unless you are a moron. https://t.co/zWT7GZK602
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) July 17, 2019
Many others defended Pratt as well.
Shame on @Yahoo for this trash. A handful of dumb twitter comments isn’t a news story you click-baiting parasites. There nothing white supremacist about that T-shirt.
It’s like everyone wants to be stupid and make everything worse. https://t.co/TVNeLUGUAc— Jonah Goldberg (@JonahNRO) July 17, 2019
Fox & Friends defends “American icon” Chris Pratt against “bull[ies] … saying that he’s racist” for wearing a Don’t Tread On Me shirt: “There is just a group of people in this country that are hellbent on protesting anything patriotic.” pic.twitter.com/Ve35Wjr3jf
— Bobby Lewis (@revrrlewis) July 17, 2019
How the hell is the “don’t tread on me” flag, which is fully authorized by the @USNavy racist? Stay strong @prattprattpratt
Chris Pratt Smeared as ‘White Supremacist’ for Wearing Gadsden Flag Shirt https://t.co/d2miMvCAd3
— Carl Higbie (@CarlHigbie) July 17, 2019
It’s sad that we are living in a time where anything patriotic is now considered “controversial” or even “racist.” The level of hate that many liberals exhibit towards our flag these days is beyond disturbing, and it’s something that they should all be ashamed of. Pratt is one of the few stars in the liberal world of Hollywood who is not afraid to be open about the love that he has for our country. We need more people in Hollywood like him, and we hope that he continues to stay strong in the face of ridiculous backlash.
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