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Did Prince Harry really call First Amendment 'bonkers'? Duke trolled for podcast remark: 'Go back to Britain'

'Prince Harry having strong opinions on the First Amendment without understanding it or informing himself about it shows how well he is assimilating here,' said a user

After calling the First Amendment "bonkers," Prince Harry has caused uproar in the United States. On Thursday, May 13, the Duke of Sussex appeared on Dax Shepard's podcast, where he appeared to contradict one of America's founding principles: Freedom of expression. The backlash was swift, with many quick to point out that Harry is a guest in his newly adopted country - and is free to return to the UK if he does so wish.

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He 'sort of' understands it, 'but it's bonkers'

The First Amendment guarantees freedom of worship, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, the right to assemble, and the right to petition the government, but Harry seemed perplexed by it.

"I've got so much I want to say about the First Amendment as I sort of understand it, but it is bonkers," he said during the podcast last week. "I don't want to start going down the First Amendment route because that's a huge subject and one which I don't understand because I've only been here a short time, but you can find a loophole in anything. You can capitalize or exploit what's not said rather than uphold what is said."

'Won't be wanted on either side of pond'

Comments poured in. "Don’t let the door knob hit you, Windsor," Fox News TV host Laura Ingraham tweeted on Sunday. Republican Texas congressman and former Navy SEAL Dan Crenshaw added: "Well I just doubled the size of my Independence Day party."

British politician and chief architect of Brexit, Nigel Farage wrote: "'For Prince Harry to condemn the USA's First Amendment shows he has lost the plot. Soon he will not be wanted on either side of the pond." "This is why July 4th is referred to as Losers Day in your homeland," quipped Managing Editor of the Washington Examiner, Jay Caruso. 

Has the right to say 'stupid things' in America

"Prince Harry is attacking America's First Amendment Tells you everything you need to know," tweeted Veteran Navy Intel officer Jack Posobiec. "Prince Harry having strong opinions on the First Amendment without understanding it or informing himself about it shows how well he is assimilating here," wrote Twitter user Popehat. "He’s such a tiresome flog. Shut up, Harry," demanded Australian newspaper columnist Rita Panahi. "Well, here in American (sic) he has the right to say stupid things," wrote Larry Keane. Another user wrote, "If he has a problem with the constitution then he can go back to Britain."

Prince Harry's remarks come two months after he was appointed to a left-leaning panel to 'counter media disinformation.' On Dax Shepard's Armchair Expert, the 36-year-old discussed mental health, his family, life in Los Angeles, and his upcoming projects.