Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently passed a controversial law that critics infamously named the “Don’t Say Gay” law. It allows gender transition treatments and keeps children out of drag shows. The Board of Education also approved the law that bans classroom instructions on gender orientation at the request of DeSantis. Lewis Hamilton, who has always stood for equality, promised his symbolic support for the LGBTQIA+ community by sporting the rainbow helmet at the Miami GP, just like he did in Saudi Arabia. Ben Shapiro took the opportunity to attack the Briton. However, the attempt has backfired as F1 fans called him out for twisting Hamilton’s words to suit his agenda.
Earlier this year, Hamilton appeared for an interview with Jay Shetty, where he candidly spoke his mind on several social issues. He talked about how badly the world leaders are performing and the need to fill the vacuum. He highlighted the need for better future leaders. Certainly, he wasn’t going to stay quiet when the Florida governor passed the contentious law.
Ben Shapiro comes under heavy fire for his attack on Lewis Hamilton
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In light of recent developments in Florida, Associated Press quoted Hamilton as reacting, “It’s not good at all.”
He added, “I stand by those within the community here. I hope they continue to stand firm and push back. I’ll have the rainbow on my helmet. It’s no different to when we were in Saudi.”
Shapiro took the comment as an attempt to compare Florida to Saudi Arabia and lashed out at Hamilton for it. He took to Twitter to express his discontent with the Mercedes driver’s statement with a sarcastic comment. However, F1 fans jumped to Hamilton’s rescue by calling out Shapiro for misinterpreting his comments.
Take a look at some reactions from Twitter.
He didn’t say that. He said he is wearing the same helmet as in Saudi Arabia.
— Anthony Cullen (@DriverMarketF1) May 5, 2023
He said he’s wearing a rainbow, just like he did in Saudi. You’re twisting words.
— DwideShrude (@BrianH249) May 5, 2023
KEEP MY MANS NAME OUT OF YOUR UGLY MOUTH https://t.co/m1G5QhyX0i pic.twitter.com/KqpZGha9HT
— angie♡🇩🇴 (@willowroses) May 5, 2023
One fan believed it was Shapiro’s tactic to stay relevant by targeting successful persons.
ben gotta bash someone who is more successful that he will ever be just to stay relevant. Sad! pic.twitter.com/rQj4mZg9g8
— fitzrroy | jd¹⁴ (@tonykarrt) May 5, 2023
Black men with any level of fame or power really bother you it seems
— Kyle McGahey (@k_mcGahey) May 5, 2023
That’s not what he said 👀 he said he will continue to wear the rainbow helmet, as he did in Saudi. Basically paraphrasing: “Saudi is worse and I wore it then so I’ll wear it now” it’s light years away from saying “Florida is the same as Saudi arabia on this subject”…
— Robert Woodward (@RWoody1995) May 5, 2023
Another fan felt that Shapiro was trying to bank on the Miami GP’s popularity to gain some fame himself.
Trying to boost your engagement during the Miami GP, I see. Florida is literally taking pages from authoritarians in the Middle East and Europe. It's heading that direction
— Beeps (@NESSESAURUS) May 5, 2023
You do realize he's talking about the facts he's keeping the rainbow on his helmet just as he did in Saudi, and not that Florida is like Saudi, right ?
— Cheedee. (@Cheedee) May 5, 2023
Another fan urged him to read the complete article as it would have given him the context and saved him from the bashing he took.
Ready to understand, Ben. Better yet open the article and stop falling for clickbait which you are so often vocal about.
— LO. 👸🏾 (@LOtheOG) May 5, 2023
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I love when Benny does his. He willingly distorts what someone says, in order to debate the, since he can't debate what he said.
He is wearing the flag in the same manner that he did in SA.
But you know that is what he was saying.
— JoeyTheRedKangaroo🦘 (@JoeyTheRedKRoo1) May 6, 2023
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Do you think the whole controversy could have been avoided if Shapiro just read the article before deciding to give his two cents on Hamilton’s comments? Or was it a deliberate attempt just to gain some internet clout?