
Political commentary? The fallout Will Smith Chris Rock‘s drama at the 2022 Oscars has made its way to the White House.
According to Politico reporter Max Tani, White House communications director Kate Bedingfield — who was taking over for White House press secretary Jen Psaki during a briefing on Tuesday, March 29 — was asked about President Joe Biden’s thoughts on what went down between the Academy Award winner, 53, and the Saturday Night LiveAt the Sunday, February 27, ceremony, alum, 57.
“White House comms director Kate Bedingfield says at the press briefing that the White House has ‘no official comment on the altercation’ between Will Smith and Chris Rock, and says Biden did not watch the Oscars,” the reporter tweeted on Tuesday.
Rock made a joke as he presented at the 94th Annual Academy Awards, Los Angeles on Sunday.Jada pinkett Smith’s expense, comparing her shaved head to Demi Moore’s in G.I. Jane. (The 50-year-old Red Table TalkHost has alopecia, which she has been open about for many years.
Pinkett Smith looked puzzled at the comment. While the Bel-Air: The Fresh PrinceWhile the alum initially seemed to be laughing at the comment, Smith quickly changed his demeanor and walked on stage to smash Rock across the face. Smith then yelled at the comedian, after returning to his place in the audience. Longest Yard actor to “keep my wife’s name out your f—king mouth.”
The Men in Black star — who won the best actor trophy for his starring role in King Richard later that evening and alluded to the altercation in his acceptance speech — broke his silence on the incident one day later.
“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable,” Smith wrote via Instagram on Monday, March 28, noting that hearing “a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.”
He continued: “I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was not in line, and I was wrong. I am ashamed and my actions are not indicative the man I want. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”
In an Instagram post, the Pursuit of Happiness actor also apologized to the Academy, the producers of the Oscars, all viewers of the ceremony and his “King Richard family,” writing that his “behavior … stained” the legacy of the project.
Numerous celebrities have addressed the scandal, supporting Smith and Rock. David Spade Judd AttowThey have stood up to the MadagascarVoice actor, Oscars cohost Amy Schumer revealing via Instagram on Wednesday, March 30, that she felt “traumatized” by the situation.
Former Bel-Air: The Fresh PrinceStar Janet Hubert, for her part, tweeted, “There is only so much one can take… sometimes you have to slap back. Celebrate the win… nothing else matters. Both actions were incorrect but Chris didn’t need to go there.”
While Us Weekly confirmed that Rock has not filed a police report, the Academy has launched a “formal review” of the incident.
