Actor Mark Duplass apologized on Thursday after being skewered online for suggesting liberals reach across the political aisle and follow conservative firebrand Ben Shapiro on social media.
“My goal has always been to spread unity, understanding and kindness,” Duplass wrote on Twitter. “But I am going to make mistakes along the way. Sometimes I move too quickly when I get excited, or fail to do enough research, or I don’t communicate myself clearly. I’m really sorry.”
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— Mark Duplass (@MarkDuplass) July 19, 2018
The director, producer, and actor, who featured in FX’s “The League” and HBO’s “Togetherness,” drew ire on Wednesday when he praised Shapiro in a since-deleted tweet.
“Fellow liberals: If you are interested at all in ‘crossing the aisle’ you should consider following @benshapiro,” Duplass wrote, according to screenshots published by news outlets including Mediaite. “I don’t agree with him on much but he’s a genuine person who once helped me for no other reason than to be nice.”
“He doesn’t bend the truth. His intentions are good,” he continued.
Social media users were quick to point out Shapiro’s history of inflammatory comments on a range of topics, including transgenderism and racism.
Shapiro, editor-in-chief of right-leaning website the Daily Wire and a syndicated columnist, on Wednesday initially hit out at Duplass’ detractors.
“Today’s Leftist lesson on Twitter: write a nice tweet about someone with whom you disagree politically, get labeled a racist sexist homophobe,” Shapiro tweeted. “Good stuff, guys. Really showing that tolerant streak.”
Today’s Leftist lesson on Twitter: write a nice tweet about someone with whom you disagree politically, get labeled a racist sexist homophobe. Good stuff, guys. Really showing that tolerant streak.
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) July 18, 2018
But on Thursday he appeared to balk at Duplass’ apology.
“So in 24 hours I apparently went from being a person with good intentions to a racist sexist bigot,” he wrote. “Twitter toxifies any attempt to cross the aisle. There’s no conservative Mark could have recommended who wouldn’t receive the same blowback.”
So in 24 hours I apparently went from being a person with good intentions to a racist sexist bigot. Twitter toxifies any attempt to cross the aisle. There’s no conservative Mark could have recommended who wouldn’t receive the same blowback. https://t.co/JEizw69eFH
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) July 19, 2018
