Why did Jamie Foxx feel 'betrayed'? Actor issues apology after facing backlash over antisemitic post
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jamie Foxx has apologized to the Jewish community and everyone who was offended by his 'controversial' message on Instagram. The actor says he was not trying to hurt anyone and that he loves and supports the Jewish people.
Foxx, 55, posted a message on Friday, August 4, that read, “They killed this dude name Jesus … What do you think they’ll do to you!!!” He added hashtags “Fake Friends” and “Fake Love” to the post, which he later deleted after the actor received backlash, Page Six reported.
Why does Jamie Foxx feel 'betrayed'?
The message was seen as antisemitic by many social media users, who criticized Foxx for his choice of words. Some also noticed that Jennifer Aniston appeared to like the post, which she denied and said she does not support antisemitism or hate of any kind. “This really makes me sick. I did not ‘like’ this post on purpose or by accident," she wrote on her Instagram story, Friday. She added, "...more importantly, I want to be clear to my friends and anyone hurt by this showing up in their feeds — I do NOT support antisemitism. And I truly don’t tolerate HATE of any kind. Period.”
'I now know my choice of words have caused offense and I’m sorry'
Foxx explained that he was feeling betrayed by a 'fake friend' who had hurt him and that he did not mean to imply anything negative about the Jewish people. He issued an apology on Saturday, August 5, via his Instagram. He wrote, “I want to apologize to the Jewish community and everyone who was offended by my post. I now know my choice of words has caused offense and I’m sorry. That was never my intent.”
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“To clarify, I was betrayed by a fake friend and that’s what I meant with ‘they’ not anything more," Foxx added. He continued, “I only have love in my heart for everyone. I love and support the Jewish community."
'My deepest apologies to anyone who was offended'
"My deepest apologies to anyone who was offended.” Foxx signed his note with, “Nothing but love always, Jamie Foxx.” However, not everyone agreed that Foxx was controversial or antisemitic. People reacted to his apology post positively, "Why do y’all always gotta take things out of context just for the sake of fake outrage?! In what capacity was he against Jews in his post?!" wrote one. One more user wrote, "Do not apologize, you said nothing that should have been taken as an offense." Another user wrote, "I am Jewish and I thought it was one helluva leap to call it antisemitic. I knew exactly what you meant. Everybody needs to chill."
The Oscar winner is recovering from a medical complication that he suffered in April. He recently gave a long-awaited update about his health suggesting he went to hell and back. He also credited his sister and daughter for saving his life. Foxx also addressed rumours surrounding his "undisclosed medical complication" in April.