Jeff Lewis receives ‘huge backlash’ for ‘ignorant’ comments about looting and Black Lives Matter protests
Jeff Lewis acknowledged he completely ‘failed’ to discuss George Floyd‘s death after sparking ‘huge backlash’ for a number of insensitive comments on his podcast.
The 50-year-old former Flipping Out star began a contentious episode of Jeff Lewis Uncensored by referring to rioters as ‘criminals’ and saying he feels ‘very unsafe living in Los Angeles’ because of the Black Lives Matter protests.
‘I’ve learned that there’s no such thing as a peaceful protest, that’s what I learned this weekend,’ he said, before lamenting about there being ‘no consequences’ to the widespread outbreak of civil unrest.
Alienating fans: Jeff Lewis acknowledged he completely ‘failed’ to discuss George Floyd’s death after sparking ‘huge backlash’ for a number of insensitive comments on his podcast
He stressed: ‘If I could move out of Los Angeles after what happened this weekend, I would.’
The radio host also criticized the Black Lives Matter movement for targeting affluent neighborhoods and slamming the police’s use of rubber bullets for being ineffective.
‘You know what actually didn’t do jack sh*t was those rubber bullets,’ he continued. ‘I watched those kids getting shot and getting right back up and running. They didn’t do anything, those rubber bullets. What’s the point?’
‘I’ve learned that there’s no such thing as a peaceful protest, that’s what I learned this weekend,’ he said, before lamenting about there being ‘no consequences’ about civil unrest
Despite looking at the graphic footage of rubber bullets, which have cracked skulls and left protestors permanently blinded, Lewis ranted about wanting to buy a gun to properly ‘protect’ his home.
On Tuesday, he refused to ‘backpedal from the things’ he said because he doesn’t want to be ‘one of these phony celebrities.’
Rather, he explained that, ‘I was accused of being ignorant and spoiled and privileged and I will agree I’ve led a very privileged life.’
Troubling comments: Lewis ranted about wanting to buy a guy to properly ‘protect’ his home
The father-of-one said, while he’s had ‘opportunities that other people have not,’ he still has empathy.
Yet, he stressed that he doesn’t condone ‘breaking and entering, theft, arson, assault and battery, vandalism’ under any circumstances.
‘I still believe that these protests are dangerous. You can tell me all day long that they’re peaceful protests — I spent what I figured 11 hours watching the news coverage and it made me so upset and angry,’ he fired.
I felt fearful. Just because I’m white and I’m privileged doesn’t mean I can’t be scared,’ he told his listeners on Tuesday
‘I felt fearful. Just because I’m white and I’m privileged doesn’t mean I can’t be scared,’ he told his listeners. ‘I support the movement, but I can’t get behind this particular strategy and I think it’s being grossly mishandled.’
Lewis also says the protests should stop because ‘after 7 days, I think the message has been sent and received.’
By Wednesday, he said he ‘spit up’ and ‘alienated a lot of people’ during his first show of the week because of his ‘severe, severe anxiety,’ which hindered his ability to put his ‘thoughts together in an organized manner.’