American actor and director Tim Matheson has complained to US law enforcement about receiving threats after he criticised former US First Lady Melania Trump online, TMZ reports.
According to the media outlet, in his since-deleted tweet from 23 January, Matheson quipped about how “wonderful” it is to “have a First Lady with class and heart” who “can speak English.”
But while he’s since deleted the post and tweeted an apology, he reportedly contacted the authorities after someone allegedly threatened: “Pay me big bucks or I will kill you.”
This morning I made a hasty and stupid joke about the former First Lady. It wasn’t funny, and it was in poor taste. It was regretful and humorless and I apologize.
— Tim Matheson (@Tim_Matheson) January 22, 2021
The police are investigating after Matheson contacted the LAPD and filed an “extortion report” due to the alleged financial demands, the media outlet notes, citing its sources.
Meanwhile, Matheson’s apology elicited a somewhat mixed response online. While some seemed to appreciate his move, others argued that the actor had “doubled down” on his earlier statement “before getting push back.”
This morning I made a hasty and stupid joke about the former First Lady. It wasn’t funny, and it was in poor taste. It was regretful and humorless and I apologize.
— Tim Matheson (@Tim_Matheson) January 22, 2021
Please, he literally doubled down before getting push back. https://t.co/GaTeDyYIWL
— Basketball Jones (@BBallJones03) January 23, 2021