Actor Chris Pratt found himself at the center of controversy this week after a viral social media post sparked widespread calls for Marvel Studios to sever ties with the “Guardians of the Galaxy” star. Despite mounting online criticism and campaigns demanding his removal, official sources confirm that Pratt remains with Marvel and no statements indicating otherwise have been made by the studio.
Political Condolences Ignite Social Media Storm
The incident began when Chris Pratt posted a message on the social platform X, offering condolences to the family of Charlie Kirk following Kirk’s tragic death at a public debate event at Utah Valley University on September 11. Pratt wrote of his prayers for Kirk’s family and for “God’s grace” for the country. The post, which quickly gained tens of millions of views, polarized social media. While some supported Pratt’s expression of sympathy, others criticized his alignment due to Kirk’s controversial political stance.
Kirk’s controversial statements
Charlie Kirk made tens of millions selling himself as a “Christian” while promoting MAGA tenets. His controversial stances, those that represented the antithesis of Christianity, include:
Race and Civil Rights
Kirk was highly critical of civil rights legislation and prominent Black figures:
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On the Civil Rights Act: He called the Civil Rights Act of 1964 a “blunder” and said the U.S. “made a significant error” by enacting Civil Rights in the 1960s
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On Martin Luther King Jr.: Kirk labeled Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. as an “awful” individual who “claimed one good thing he did not genuinely believe”. He called MLK a “myth” and said the Civil Rights Act was a “huge mistake”
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On Black competence: Kirk made racist remarks about Black professionals, stating “If I see a Black pilot, I’m gonna be like, ‘Boy, I hope he’s qualified'”
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On Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson: He branded her a “diversity hire” lacking the qualifications for her role.
LGBTQ+ Rights and Transgender Issues
Kirk was vehemently opposed to LGBTQ+ rights and transgender acceptance:
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On gender-affirming care: He suggested that “every gender-affirming clinic doctor” should face a “Nuremberg-style trial”. He also called transgender identity a mental disease needing “brain treatment”.
Gun Rights
Kirk defended gun rights even at the cost of human lives:
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On gun deaths: Ironically, at Awaken Church in Salt Lake City in April 2023, he said, “It’s worth it to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights. That is a prudent deal”
Immigration and Replacement Theory
Kirk promoted conspiracy theories about immigration:
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Great Replacement Theory: He was a proponent of “replacement theory,” suggesting that Jews are attempting to replace white Americans with nonwhite immigrants
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On Islamic communities: Regarding a proposed Islamic community in Texas, he commented, “While America upholds freedom of religion, we must be candid—large Islamic enclaves pose a threat to America”
Antisemitic Statements
Despite supporting Israel, Kirk made statements that drew accusations of antisemitism:
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He claimed that Jewish philanthropists were fueling anti-white sentiments by backing liberal antiracism movements, stating “The foundation of anti-whiteness has been financed by Jewish donors in the country”
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He accused Jews of controlling various institutions, saying “it’s the nonprofits, it’s Hollywood, it’s all of it”
COVID-19 and Public Health
Kirk spread misinformation about COVID-19 measures:
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He likened masks and vaccine mandates to “medical apartheid”
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He promoted various forms of COVID-19 misinformation throughout the pandemic. For instance, he was banned from Twitter after claiming that hydroxychloroquine had proved to be “100% effective in treating the virus”. He also falsely alleged that Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer threatened doctors who tried to use the medication. These falsehoods were retweeted by Rudy Giuliani, whose account was then also suspended. He then went on to call social distancing a “Democratic plot against Christianity”.
Other Controversial Positions
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On empathy: Kirk stated “I can’t stand the word empathy, I think empathy is a made up new age term and it does a lot of damage”
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On mass incarceration: He suggested mass incarceration as a solution to the housing crisis
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On public executions: He advocated for public, televised executions that even children could watch. “Death penalties should be public, should be quick. It should be televised.” He then characterized children watching the executions as an “initiation”.
Fans Demand Action from Marvel
As Pratt’s post circulated, a vocal segment of fans and commentators called on Marvel and Disney to remove him from future projects. Hashtags and petitions urging the companies to part ways with Pratt trended for days, reflecting broader debates about the intersection of celebrity, politics, and franchise representation.
Marvel and Pratt Remain Unmoved
Despite the uproar, Marvel has issued no statements indicating that Pratt has been fired or disciplined, and all official communications confirm his continued involvement in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise as Peter Quill, also known as Star-Lord. Pratt himself did not directly address the controversy but posted a video to Instagram on September 14, inviting followers to reflect, pray, and reconnect with real life beyond digital outrage.
