10 Social Media Posts That Caused MASSIVE Backlash
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VOICE OVER: Tom Aglio
WRITTEN BY: Don Ekama
Social media can be a double-edged sword, and these posts prove just how quickly things can go wrong. From offensive tweets to tone-deaf celebrity moments, we're diving into the most controversial social media posts that sparked massive public outrage and career-ending consequences. Our countdown includes shocking posts by CeeLo Green, Dani Mathers, Dylan Mulvaney, Bow Wow, Gal Gadot, Justine Sacco, Roseanne Barr, Kanye West, Kathy Griffin, and Kevin Spacey that went viral for all the wrong reasons! Which post do you think deserved every bit of the backlash it got?
Social Media Posts That Caused Massive Backlash
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be looking at the most unforgettable social media posts that drew intense backlash and thrust their creators into the center of heated controversies.
CeeLo Green’s Tweets About Consent
In 2012, a woman accused singer CeeLo Green of slipping her a date drug and sexually assaulting her. While authorities declined to pursue sexual assault charges due to insufficient evidence, Green pleaded no contest to one count of furnishing a narcotic. Shortly after, he took to Twitter to voice his opinion on the matter. In a series of now-deleted tweets, Green attempted to redefine sexual assault, suggesting that actual victims would remember the incident. The posts lit a firestorm on Twitter, forcing Green to temporarily deactivate his account. Although he later returned and apologized, the damage was already done. His TBS show, “The Good Life,” was canceled, and he was booted from the animated film “Hotel Transylvania 2.”
Dani Mathers’ Body Shaming Snaps
Playboy playmate Dani Mathers was at her local gym in July 2016 when she came across a 71-year-old woman changing in the locker room. Instead of minding her business, Mathers secretly took a picture of the naked woman and posted it on Snapchat, alongside a selfie covering her mouth. Unsurprisingly, the internet was not amused. Facing a storm of backlash, Mathers deleted the post and claimed it was intended as a private message. But her tone-deaf stunt wasn’t just socially unacceptable, it was also a legal violation. Mathers was charged with invasion of privacy and risked up to six months behind bars. In the end, she pleaded no contest and was sentenced to three years probation and 30 hours of graffiti removal service.
Dylan Mulvaney’s Bud Light Advertisement
What started as a simple beer ad quickly spiraled into a massive boycott campaign. In April 2023, transgender actress and influencer Dylan Mulvaney shared a short promotional video for Bud Light on Instagram. The campaign aimed to boost sales by appealing to younger consumers and positioning the brand as more inclusive. However, this backfired, as the ad was reviled by many in conservative circles. Musicians, politicians and commentators not only called for a boycott, but also directed a barrage of threats towards Mulvaney. Bud Light’s response to the backlash, which neither supported Mulvaney nor renounced the ad, managed to please no one. As a result, the brand’s sales plummeted by as much as 26%, and its parent company’s stock price fell by 20%.
Bow Wow’s Private Jet Post
The lives of the rich and famous are often portrayed as so glamorous they might make you envious. But needless to say, not everything they showcase is genuine. Case in point, Bow Wow. In May 2017, the rapper posted an Instagram photo of a private jet, implying he was flying to New York in style. However, mere hours later, a passenger spotted him in economy on a commercial plane, took a picture and shared it online. To make matters worse, a reverse-image search revealed that the photo he posted was actually a stock image from a transport company. Internet users united in their ridicule of the rapper, even creating the #BowWowChallenge, posting side-by-side pictures of their own exaggerated luxury, alongside the less-than-glamorous reality.
The Star-Studded “Imagine” Video
In March 2020, the entire world was plunged into chaos as the COVID-19 pandemic spread, leaving many uncertain about the future. During this turbulent period, Hollywood actress Gal Gadot decided that what humanity really needed was a montage of celebrities singing along to John Lennon’s “Imagine.” The three-minute clip was posted to Instagram and, in addition to Gadot, featured names like Kristen Wiig, Jimmy Fallon, Natalie Portman and Will Ferrell. Despite the widespread confusion in the world at the time, everyone was crystal clear that the clip was not only tone-deaf and cringeworthy, but ultimately pointless. Gadot later acknowledged that the project was in “poor taste,” but reiterated that they all had “pure intentions” making it.
Justine Sacco’s Offensive Tweet
Prior to December 20th 2013, Justine Sacco served as the senior director of corporate communications at the media company IAC. That day, however, her life changed dramatically, thanks to a single, ill-conceived tweet. Just before boarding her flight from London to Cape Town, South Africa, Sacco posted an offensive comment that trivialized the prevalence of HIV in the country. The tweet was widely seen as racist and very quickly lit a social media firestorm while Sacco was blissfully offline mid-air. Before long, this obscure tweet from an account with just about 200 followers was trending worldwide. After Sacco landed and realized the magnitude of her misstep, she issued a public apology, acknowledging her “insensitive” comment. Nevertheless, she was fired by her employers.
Roseanne Barr’s Racist Tweet
The year was 2018. The ABC sitcom “Roseanne” had been revived for a 10th season that premiered to impressive ratings. Everything was going great for the show’s star and producer Roseanne Barr until May 29th, when she targeted former White House advisor Valerie Jarrett in what was widely criticized as a racist tweet. Barr initially doubled down, but as the backlash exploded, she apologized for the tweet, and blamed it on the sleeping drug Ambien. The drug’s manufacturer had to step in to publicly refute her claims. That same day, ABC canceled the revival of “Roseanne,” just two months after renewing it for another season. The show was eventually retooled as “The Conners,” but this time without Barr in the picture.
Kanye West’s Anti-Semitic Tweet
Kanye West has long been a magnet for controversy, but in October 2022, his behavior reached a troubling new low. After being locked out of Instagram for suggesting that Sean “Diddy” Combs was controlled by Jewish people, West moved to Twitter to escalate his rhetoric. There, he posted a tweet threatening violence against Jewish people and absurdly claimed he couldn’t be anti-Semitic. Turns out, he could. West’s tweet drew the ire of many across the board, and resulted in his Twitter account also getting locked. From there, things went downhill pretty quickly. Several high-profile companies with whom he shared business partnerships, including Adidas, Gap, Balenciaga and Vogue, all severed ties with him. Despite these significant losses, West continued to spread hateful remarks.
Kathy Griffin’s Trump Mask
Donald Trump is undeniably a polarizing figure, but that does not excuse the controversial stunt Kathy Griffin pulled in May 2017. The comedian shared a video on Instagram and Twitter, in which she held a bloody mask that closely resembled Trump. Griffin may be widely known for her shock humor, but this was a step too far. The posts were criticized, both by Trump’s supporters and his detractors, as many took it as a veiled threat of violence against the president. As a result, Griffin lost multiple endorsement deals and jobs, and was forced to cancel her upcoming tour dates. She initially apologized and removed the posts, but she later retracted her apology and even reposted the image after Trump lost the 2020 election.
Kevin Spacey’s Twitter Apology
The MeToo movement brought a tsunami of revelations that toppled many Hollywood elites, but few fell as hard as Kevin Spacey. It all began when Anthony Rapp accused Spacey of making sexual advances towards him back in 1986, when Rapp was still a minor. In response, Spacey uploaded a statement to his Twitter, apologizing to Rapp but claiming he couldn’t recall the incident. If he had just ended there, things might have played out differently. Instead, he used the same statement to come out as gay, a move that was widely seen as a clumsy attempt to distract from the very serious allegations. Spacey received a deafening wave of criticism from all sides and his reputation has since remained irreparably damaged.
Which of these social media posts did you think was deserving of the backlash it received? Let us know in the comments below.
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be looking at the most unforgettable social media posts that drew intense backlash and thrust their creators into the center of heated controversies.
CeeLo Green’s Tweets About Consent
In 2012, a woman accused singer CeeLo Green of slipping her a date drug and sexually assaulting her. While authorities declined to pursue sexual assault charges due to insufficient evidence, Green pleaded no contest to one count of furnishing a narcotic. Shortly after, he took to Twitter to voice his opinion on the matter. In a series of now-deleted tweets, Green attempted to redefine sexual assault, suggesting that actual victims would remember the incident. The posts lit a firestorm on Twitter, forcing Green to temporarily deactivate his account. Although he later returned and apologized, the damage was already done. His TBS show, “The Good Life,” was canceled, and he was booted from the animated film “Hotel Transylvania 2.”
Dani Mathers’ Body Shaming Snaps
Playboy playmate Dani Mathers was at her local gym in July 2016 when she came across a 71-year-old woman changing in the locker room. Instead of minding her business, Mathers secretly took a picture of the naked woman and posted it on Snapchat, alongside a selfie covering her mouth. Unsurprisingly, the internet was not amused. Facing a storm of backlash, Mathers deleted the post and claimed it was intended as a private message. But her tone-deaf stunt wasn’t just socially unacceptable, it was also a legal violation. Mathers was charged with invasion of privacy and risked up to six months behind bars. In the end, she pleaded no contest and was sentenced to three years probation and 30 hours of graffiti removal service.
Dylan Mulvaney’s Bud Light Advertisement
What started as a simple beer ad quickly spiraled into a massive boycott campaign. In April 2023, transgender actress and influencer Dylan Mulvaney shared a short promotional video for Bud Light on Instagram. The campaign aimed to boost sales by appealing to younger consumers and positioning the brand as more inclusive. However, this backfired, as the ad was reviled by many in conservative circles. Musicians, politicians and commentators not only called for a boycott, but also directed a barrage of threats towards Mulvaney. Bud Light’s response to the backlash, which neither supported Mulvaney nor renounced the ad, managed to please no one. As a result, the brand’s sales plummeted by as much as 26%, and its parent company’s stock price fell by 20%.
Bow Wow’s Private Jet Post
The lives of the rich and famous are often portrayed as so glamorous they might make you envious. But needless to say, not everything they showcase is genuine. Case in point, Bow Wow. In May 2017, the rapper posted an Instagram photo of a private jet, implying he was flying to New York in style. However, mere hours later, a passenger spotted him in economy on a commercial plane, took a picture and shared it online. To make matters worse, a reverse-image search revealed that the photo he posted was actually a stock image from a transport company. Internet users united in their ridicule of the rapper, even creating the #BowWowChallenge, posting side-by-side pictures of their own exaggerated luxury, alongside the less-than-glamorous reality.
The Star-Studded “Imagine” Video
In March 2020, the entire world was plunged into chaos as the COVID-19 pandemic spread, leaving many uncertain about the future. During this turbulent period, Hollywood actress Gal Gadot decided that what humanity really needed was a montage of celebrities singing along to John Lennon’s “Imagine.” The three-minute clip was posted to Instagram and, in addition to Gadot, featured names like Kristen Wiig, Jimmy Fallon, Natalie Portman and Will Ferrell. Despite the widespread confusion in the world at the time, everyone was crystal clear that the clip was not only tone-deaf and cringeworthy, but ultimately pointless. Gadot later acknowledged that the project was in “poor taste,” but reiterated that they all had “pure intentions” making it.
Justine Sacco’s Offensive Tweet
Prior to December 20th 2013, Justine Sacco served as the senior director of corporate communications at the media company IAC. That day, however, her life changed dramatically, thanks to a single, ill-conceived tweet. Just before boarding her flight from London to Cape Town, South Africa, Sacco posted an offensive comment that trivialized the prevalence of HIV in the country. The tweet was widely seen as racist and very quickly lit a social media firestorm while Sacco was blissfully offline mid-air. Before long, this obscure tweet from an account with just about 200 followers was trending worldwide. After Sacco landed and realized the magnitude of her misstep, she issued a public apology, acknowledging her “insensitive” comment. Nevertheless, she was fired by her employers.
Roseanne Barr’s Racist Tweet
The year was 2018. The ABC sitcom “Roseanne” had been revived for a 10th season that premiered to impressive ratings. Everything was going great for the show’s star and producer Roseanne Barr until May 29th, when she targeted former White House advisor Valerie Jarrett in what was widely criticized as a racist tweet. Barr initially doubled down, but as the backlash exploded, she apologized for the tweet, and blamed it on the sleeping drug Ambien. The drug’s manufacturer had to step in to publicly refute her claims. That same day, ABC canceled the revival of “Roseanne,” just two months after renewing it for another season. The show was eventually retooled as “The Conners,” but this time without Barr in the picture.
Kanye West’s Anti-Semitic Tweet
Kanye West has long been a magnet for controversy, but in October 2022, his behavior reached a troubling new low. After being locked out of Instagram for suggesting that Sean “Diddy” Combs was controlled by Jewish people, West moved to Twitter to escalate his rhetoric. There, he posted a tweet threatening violence against Jewish people and absurdly claimed he couldn’t be anti-Semitic. Turns out, he could. West’s tweet drew the ire of many across the board, and resulted in his Twitter account also getting locked. From there, things went downhill pretty quickly. Several high-profile companies with whom he shared business partnerships, including Adidas, Gap, Balenciaga and Vogue, all severed ties with him. Despite these significant losses, West continued to spread hateful remarks.
Kathy Griffin’s Trump Mask
Donald Trump is undeniably a polarizing figure, but that does not excuse the controversial stunt Kathy Griffin pulled in May 2017. The comedian shared a video on Instagram and Twitter, in which she held a bloody mask that closely resembled Trump. Griffin may be widely known for her shock humor, but this was a step too far. The posts were criticized, both by Trump’s supporters and his detractors, as many took it as a veiled threat of violence against the president. As a result, Griffin lost multiple endorsement deals and jobs, and was forced to cancel her upcoming tour dates. She initially apologized and removed the posts, but she later retracted her apology and even reposted the image after Trump lost the 2020 election.
Kevin Spacey’s Twitter Apology
The MeToo movement brought a tsunami of revelations that toppled many Hollywood elites, but few fell as hard as Kevin Spacey. It all began when Anthony Rapp accused Spacey of making sexual advances towards him back in 1986, when Rapp was still a minor. In response, Spacey uploaded a statement to his Twitter, apologizing to Rapp but claiming he couldn’t recall the incident. If he had just ended there, things might have played out differently. Instead, he used the same statement to come out as gay, a move that was widely seen as a clumsy attempt to distract from the very serious allegations. Spacey received a deafening wave of criticism from all sides and his reputation has since remained irreparably damaged.
Which of these social media posts did you think was deserving of the backlash it received? Let us know in the comments below.
