Ellen addressed the backlash on her show (and posted it on her social media accounts), saying she has a lot of friends who believe differently to her.
Yes, that was me at the Cowboys game with George W. Bush over the weekend. Here’s the whole story.
"When I say, 'Be kind to one another,' I don't only mean the people that think the same way that you do. I mean be kind to everyone," she said.
Some celebs called out Ellen and the situation on social media, following her response:
1. David Cross:
It was neither, "shut down", nor was it "powerful". It was weak, self-serving, dissmive and eye-opening https://t.co/1gHIb4vlYY
2. Susan Sarandon:
“But missing the point entirely, DeGeneres framed the issue as simply a matter of her hanging out with someone with different opinions, not a man repeatedly accused of being a war criminal.” https://t.co/OCyYEfNRQl
3. Jameela Jamil:
Ooooof learning today about the full extent of Bush’s heinous presidency... we weren’t taught much about him at school, we just heard he was stupid...(we were dealing with our own epic nightmare of a prime minister back then). What a monstrous leader. I now understand the rage..
4. H. Jon Benjamin:
Imagine being so deluded that the only tweet you put up is that ‘Ellen DeGeneres and George w bush sitting together in a luxury box makes you have faith in America again ?! https://t.co/tjLkYE2nON
But most celebs showed their support for the talk show host:
5. Reese Witherspoon:
Thank you for this important reminder, Ellen! “I have friends who don’t think the same things that i do. When I say be kind to one another , I don’t mean be kind to the people who think the same way you do . I mean ..Be Kind to Everyone. “ https://t.co/nPUMljZpUi
6. Dax Shepard:
@TheEllenShow PREACH!
7. Kari Byron:
@TheEllenShow Respect. I have lots of friends with different backgrounds and different views. Understanding starts with and open heart. #kindness
8. Kristen Bell:
9. Jon Dorenbos:
Rock on https://t.co/fKhlOdLaut
10. Kelsea Ballerini:
watch this ❤️ https://t.co/bvlN8QOQxG
11. Scooter Braun:
Another reason why I love Ellen! @TheEllenShow bravo. https://t.co/nGHNQ7eNLB
12. Gwen Stefani:
@TheEllenShow I love u Gx https://t.co/yPoLEpojKi
13. Blake Shelton:
Amen @TheEllenShow... Thank you for saying this. https://t.co/gnevaKU6Ig
14. Piers Morgan:
I'm not a fan of Ms Saccharine, but she's bang on here. When did we lose the ability to be friends with people who hold different opinions? Ridiculous. https://t.co/k8keiFjR3q
15. Tony Robbins:
Hats off to our dear friend, Ellen!👏🏆🥇❤️THIS is what we need to see and hear more of in the media and from celebrities!! IT’S OK TO BEFRIEND PEOPLE WHO YOU DISAGREE WITH! https://t.co/lMGcZ8wh7s
16. Snooki:
17. Jamie Foxx:
18. Jennifer Garner:
19. Kendall Jenner:
