M.I.A.’s sentiments about the Alex Jones verdict were lost on Elijah Wood (Picture: Getty; Reuters)
M.I.A. is at the centre of backlash after comparing the verdict in Alex Jones’ defamation trial to celebrities promoting vaccines – and no one, it seems, is more confused than actor Elijah Wood.
On Wednesday, a jury ordered conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to pay nearly $1billion (£894million) to the families of victims of the Sandy Hook mass shooting.
For several years, Jones claimed that the deadly 2012 massacre was staged and part of a plan by the government to take away guns from Americans.
The jury in Connecticut awarded $965million (£866m) in compensatory damages to the families and a first responder for slander and emotional distress.
Reacting to the news, Paper Planes rapper M.I.A. – real name Mathangi ‘Maya’ Arulpragasam – tweeted: ‘If Alex jones pays for lying shouldn’t every celebrity pushing vaccines pay too ?’
Lord of the Rings actor Elijah seemed perplexed by the question and replied: ‘Ummmm…what?’
Jones was ordered to pay almost $1bn to the families of the victims of Sandy Hook (Picture: AP)
M.I.A. compared the verdict to celebrities promoting vaccines (Picture: @MIAuniverse, @elijahwood, Instagram)
Lord of the Rings actor Elijah clearly didn’t agree with M.I.A.’s thoughts (Picture: Getty Images)
M.I.A., 47, went on to explain her sentiments and wrote: ‘Alex jones lying and Pfizer lying both trending . One with penalty other without. If you have no critical thinking faculty, this is about as crazy as we should get before a nuclear war wipe out the human race.’
She was referring to Pfizer trending amid reports over how the company’s contract to supply vaccines to European Commission nations was agreed.
The musician continued in a series of tweets: ‘iTS 2022 , so far no one has ever paid a billion dollars for lying or being in denial on this planet .
‘I might be the first cancelled twitter user back in 2010. for saying ” connected to the google connected to the government ” . they forget i got different kinds of receipts.’
M.I.A. seemed to double down on her comments in further tweets (Picture: Getty Images)
M.I.A.’s comments received criticism with one noting the importance of vaccines, particularly during the Covid pandemic, writing: ‘Vaccines have saved billions of lives and has saved a hundred million lives in Africa.’
‘What a horrible take,’ one critic commented.
Another replied to her original tweet: ‘No, but every public figure who pushed dangerous anti-vaccine nonsense should!’
‘Should “celebrities” spreading misinformation about the vaccines have to pay too?’ one critic wondered.
Reacting to Elijah’s reaction, a follower commented: ‘If elijah wood left shade in my replies i would simply pack it in.’
However, others defended M.I.A., including one who tweeted: ‘She was very clear about what she said. You should not be confused.’
Another supporter said: ‘Oh no she spoke her mind! that’s not allowed with the celebs.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted M.I.A.’s reps for further comment.
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The singer compared the verdict to celebrities promoting vaccines.