Ben Stiller's recent tweet ignited a firestorm of criticism, as many interpreted his words as insensitive following a shooting incident during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The actor, known for his unwavering support of the New York Knicks, had been actively tweeting throughout the game against the Atlanta Hawks.
When the Knicks secured a 114-98 victory, Stiller tweeted, “Got it done.” This celebratory message, however, was posted just 20 minutes after gunfire erupted at the hotel hosting the dinner, leading to a chaotic evacuation of President Trump and attendees.
In the wake of the shooting, which left one Secret Service agent injured, Stiller's tweet drew sharp rebukes from various quarters. Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace questioned, “Got what done?” while Richard Grenell, former director of the Kennedy Center, expressed his disbelief with a simple “Wtf?”
Critics on social media were quick to accuse Stiller of trivializing a serious situation. One user remarked, “Sorry Ben; your guy missed. I really wish your side would stop trying to assassinate people you disagree with.” Another added, “The timing of this tweet was pretty insane.”
Yet, not all responses were negative. Supporters defended Stiller, arguing that critics failed to recognize the context of his tweet. One user stated, “Maga people are so stupid that they can't figure out that you are talking about the Knicks game.” Another chimed in, suggesting that those misunderstanding the tweet might be suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
Stiller has been an outspoken critic of the Trump administration, but there is no evidence linking his tweet to the shooting incident. His representatives have not yet responded to requests for clarification regarding the backlash.
The alleged shooter has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from California. He faces multiple firearms and assault charges and is scheduled for arraignment on Monday, according to federal officials.
During the incident, one Secret Service agent sustained injuries but has since been released from the hospital. Authorities confirmed that no serious injuries occurred during the attack.
U.S. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated that the shooter appeared to have targeted Trump and his administration members. “It does appear that he did set out to target folks that work in the administration, likely including the President,” Blanche stated in an interview.
The annual black-tie dinner was ultimately canceled due to security concerns. Following the incident, Trump praised law enforcement for their swift actions during a press conference. “Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job,” he 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.”
Trump concluded by acknowledging that the evening would not proceed as planned and hinted at future events being altered as a result of the incident.
