Julie Bowen Faces Criticism for Joking About Barron Trump During Inauguration
Julie Bowen made Donald Trump’s inauguration more fun to watch, but not everyone appreciated her witty banter.
The Modern Family star, who often details the funny antics of her own three sons, posted a few Instagram photos during the ceremony focusing on Barron Trump, the 10-year-old son of the new president and his wife, Melania. The two-time Emmy winner is a comedian who’s always going for laughs — and got ’em. However, several Trump supporters later gave her a hard time, leading her to reply that she was “just trying to keep it light.”
Related: Celebs Have a Lot to Say About Trump’s Inauguration
Bowen, 46, started by joking that Barron was probably playing with his Game Boy during the ceremony (even though the elementary school kid was probably not alive when the handheld games were a big thing).
I think Barron is on his Gameboy. Can't say I can blame him.
A photo posted by Julie Bowen (@itsjuliebowen) on Jan 20, 2017 at 8:41am PST
She joked about Barron having different political beliefs than dear old dad, saying the rest of the world was with him.
Barron, a voting majority shares your horror. #barronforpresident
A photo posted by Julie Bowen (@itsjuliebowen) on Jan 20, 2017 at 8:54am PST
She also joked that he was wiping away a tear.
When your dad is boppin' his head to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. #dadshame #barronforpresident
A photo posted by Julie Bowen (@itsjuliebowen) on Jan 20, 2017 at 9:02am PST
And she was upset that CNN had a box over Barron’s face here.
Hey @CNN! Don't box the Barron!
A photo posted by Julie Bowen (@itsjuliebowen) on Jan 20, 2017 at 9:08am PST
The actress, who is not an especially political celebrity (though she did say that motherhood has made her more conservative), also commented about the attendance at the inauguration.
Lotta empty space at "the big show".
A photo posted by Julie Bowen (@itsjuliebowen) on Jan 20, 2017 at 8:49am PST
Not long after her posts (which got lots of likes and hearts) went up, Bowen replied to a critic via Twitter who called her out for choosing “to focus on a child?” and asked: “What if the son was one of your own? You make me laugh weekly. This makes me sad.”
.@MyraLisa I love that Barron is a kid being a kid. My kids would be a horror show at a public event! Just trying to keep it light.
— Julie Bowen (@itsJulieBowen) January 20, 2017
Bowen replied, “I love that Barron is a kid being a kid. My kids would be a horror show at a public event! Just trying to keep it light.”
However, soon after, Trump loyalists started spamming her pages with comments — and some got nasty. It started with things like “maureenflann: So disappointing @itsjuliebowen you are an adult bullying a child.” But turned into “albajosefine: No class Julie Bowen you people are the ones dividing the county.” And “hockeyinsider99: why dont you and your cuck husband move to Canada.”
Bowen hasn’t removed her Instagram posts or responded further, but comments made by celebrities about Barron Trump seem to be a sensitive topic for many. See: Rosie O’Donnell.
