...
By Jamie Body
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Alec Baldwin has seen an increase in his social media following after a video emerged earlier this week of him in a verbal altercation with an unidentified pro-Palestinian protester.
A video was shared online of Baldwin in a heated debate in New York City on Monday with a protestor where he labeled their question "stupid" when asked to "condemn Israel" following the ongoing Israel-Hamas war
Since the video was shared, the 30 Rock actor saw an increase of more than 3,600 followers on Tuesday, a recent high for the star.
...
According to the social media analytics website Social Blade, Baldwin welcomed 3,631 new followers across his social media channels just a day after the debate.
The protest that Baldwin walked through was a pro-Palestinian protest; one of many held globally following an attack on Israel led by Hamas on October 7.
The surprise attack was said to be retribution for worsening conditions for Palestinians under Israeli occupation.
Israel subsequently declared war on Hamas and launched hundreds of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, followed by a ground invasion. The Associated Press reported that at least 1,200 people were killed in Israel. More than 17,700 Palestinians were killed, according to health authorities in Gaza, the AP stated.
Variations of the video have made the rounds across multiple social media platforms.
As seen in the video, the short interaction progresses when things visibly heat up between the individual asking the question and the actor, with Baldwin moving on with a small police escort.
One video shared on X, formerly Twitter by podcast host Lowkey, had been viewed over 3.1 million times when this article was published and was captioned: "'That's a stupid question...' Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin refuses to condemn Israel and squares up to pro-Palestinian protestors in New York."
At the time, the video was met with a lot of backlash directed at the actor, with other comments such as: "So many celebrities are dead to me now" and "lol, his tough guy act doesn't work so well here."
Supporters of Baldwin shared: "Good for him. He knows the truth" and "Smart man."
Newsweek has contacted Baldwin's manager via email for comment.
Baldwin has been featured heavily in the press over the past year, with him facing manslaughter charges following a fatal shooting on the set of the film Rust.
In April, lawyers for Baldwin provided Newsweek with a statement in which they announced prosecutors in New Mexico have decided to drop charges against their client.
In 2021, Baldwin fired a prop gun on the set of Rust, killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines