Rob Lowe is facing extreme backlash from fans and the media, collectively, for a series of seemingly insensitive tweets he posted about the recent Paris attacks. Apparently, the Grinder actor definitely feels some type of way about the horrific terrorist attacks, but his sentiments are quite different from the condolences being offered by others.
According to New York Daily News , Rob Lowe’s insensitive tweets were presumably a form of criticism to France for its border patrol leniency. The 51-year-old actor insinuated that the recent influx of refugees may have played a role in the terrorist attack. For those who don’t know, the massive influx of refugees who recently fled Syria have settled in several places around the world.
Rob Lowe under fire for comments about France https://t.co/QfeF4RwLWn pic.twitter.com/7HPwLw9oPt
— Variety (@Variety) November 14, 2015
Back in September, it was reported that the first 20,000 refugees arrived in the U.K. In addition to being granted access to legal protection, they’ve also been given access to “housing, employment, education and expert medical care, if needed,” according to BBC News . Based on the tweets, Lowe criticized France for housing the refugees.
Here are some of Rob Lowe’s tweets:
Vive La France! #Paris
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) November 13, 2015
Oh, NOW France closes its borders. #Hollande
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) November 13, 2015
However, that’s not all Rob Lowe had to say. As expected, President of France Francois Holland gave a speech in the wake of the horrific tragedy. According to the Washington Post , he offered condolences for the victims and families of those affected by the horrific tragedy. He also briefly detailed decisions that would be made on behalf of the country and how things would be handled going forward. To read the entire speech, you can click here .
“To all those who have seen these awful things, I want to say we are going to lead a war which will be pitiless. Because when terrorists are capable of committing such atrocities they must be certain that they are facing a determined France, a united France, a France that is together and does not let itself be moved, even if today we express infinite sorrow.”
Apparently, Rob Lowe wasn’t very fond of the speech, and he had no reservations about sharing his disapproval with the world. So, once again, he took to Twitter with a tweet about President Holland’s statement addressing the Paris shooting, reports Fox News .
This is either the worst translation of an important speech ever, or one of the worst ever given. #Hollande
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) November 13, 2015
The tweets quickly created a media firestorm, but Rob Lowe didn’t back down from his beliefs. According to Radar Online , he released a statement to the “cyber trolls” who he feels misinterpreted his words. In a brief statement, he offered clarity about his tweets. Although Lowe made no apologies for his remarks, he did agree the loss of so many lives is “devastatingly sad” regardless of the circumstances.
“Wow. For you trolls out there, the phrase ‘Vive La France’ is the traditional expression of SUPPORT for France. Don’t misinterpret my words,” he responded, adding, “Lived in France, and spend a ton of time there. Been in that stadium. This is all so devastatingly sad for a place I love. #FrenchPrayers.”
Although Rob Lowe has been criticized for his tweets, a recent report published by the Daily Mail may actually support the actor’s perspective if the claims are true. It has been reported that the ISIS jihadists involved in the Paris terror attack actually snuck into Greece last month under the guise of refugees. The publication also reports that a Syrian passport was reportedly found near the body one of the gunman, but at this point, the shooting is still being probed, and the investigation will be ongoing.
Holder of Syrian passport found near body of Paris suicide bomber believed to have passed through Greece in October https://t.co/X8Cz4ZSHfP
— The Independent (@Independent) November 14, 2015
What do you think about the tweets? Do you agree or disagree with Rob Lowe? Share your thoughts.
[Photo by Antoine Antoniol / Getty Images]