Ben Stiller has been inundated with angry messages after his tweet celebrating a New York Knicks victory was misconstrued as a reaction to a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner (WHCD). The actor, a lifelong Knicks fan, had been posting throughout the evening as his team defeated the Atlanta Hawks 114-98. His tweet, 'Got it done,' came approximately 20 minutes after a gunman opened fire at the Washington hotel hosting the event, forcing President Donald Trump and guests to evacuate.
Supporters of the president accused Stiller of making light of the incident. Republican congresswoman Nancy Mace replied, 'Got what done?' while Richard Grenell, former director of the Kennedy Center, simply wrote 'Wtf?' One X user said, 'Sorry Ben; your guy missed. I really wish your side would stop trying to assassinate people you disagree with.' Another criticised the 'insane timing' of the post.
Other users defended Stiller, pointing out that his tweet clearly referenced the basketball game. One wrote, '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, a vocal critic of the Trump administration, has not commented on the backlash, and his representatives did not respond to requests for comment.
The suspect, 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from California, faces firearms and assault charges and is due to be arraigned on Monday. One Secret Service agent was shot and injured but has since been released from hospital. Police confirmed no one was seriously hurt in the attack. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said officials believe the gunman was targeting the president and his cabinet members.
The annual black-tie dinner was cancelled. President Trump praised law enforcement for their response on Truth Social, stating, 'Quite an evening in D.C. Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job.' He recommended allowing the event to proceed but said he would be guided by law enforcement.
