Mark Hamill, Bette Midler lead backlash to Ann Coulter's Gus Walz post (2024)

Some of Hollywood's biggest names have lined up to slam Ann Coulter for comments she made about the son of Democratic vice-presidential hopeful Tim Walz.

The political commentator swiftly deleted a post where she described 17-year-old Gus Walz as "weird" over his emotional reaction to his dad's speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

"That's my dad!" Gus declared from the crowd on Wednesday night as he openly wept during his dad's 16-minute speech.

What made the moment more poignant was the fact that Gus has ADHD, an anxiety disorder and a non-verbal learning disorder. His name trended on social media the following day, and searches for his disorder also spiked online.

Coulter posted a news article featuring a photo of Gus crying at the DNC to X, formerly Twitter, with the caption: "Talk about weird..."

While she quickly deleted the post after facing global backlash, it was too late for Coulter as people had saved the post and continued to criticize her, including many celebrities.

Newsweek contacted Coulter by email for comment.

Star Wars actor Mark Hamill reacted to a post of a person saying they don't cry often, but broke down watching Gus' at the DNC.

"Same here. Can't wait to see him visiting his dad in the WH. (consider this a Gus Walz appreciation tweet)," Hamill wrote.

Actress and singer Bette Midler had a simpler post, and shared a video of a woman berating Coulter by calling her derogatory names in response to her comments about Gus.

"Well!" she posted above the video on X.

Happy Days star Henry Winkler declared "me," in response to a post asking: "Who is team Gus?"

While former first lady Michelle Obama gushed over the VP hopeful's son and said people should not mock him.

"I was touched to see Gus Walz's joy when his dad @Tim_Walz took the stage last night. Thankful for you showing us all what real love looks like, Gus. Let's be a nation that embraces this kind of warmth and vulnerability, instead of making fun or mocking it. We could all use some of Gus's example in our own lives," she wrote on X.

The View co-host Ana Navarro-Cardenas labeled Coulter a "monster" for her post.

"What kind of monster are u to attack a 17 year-old, special needs kid for expressing love for his dad?" she wrote on X. Gus Walz is neurodivergent, has ADHD, anxiety, and a nonverbal learning disorder. Teens like Gus can have trouble regulating their emotions in social settings. Leave him the f*** alone, you ghouls."

She also discussed Coulter's post on Instagram, with her The View co-stars chiming in.

"Jesus. What a**-wipes. Of course Republicans and Trumpers on social media taking shots at Gus Walz. You have to be a special kind of heart-less mutant to attack a 17 year-old special needs kid -not involved in politics- for the simple act of expressing love for his father," Navarro shared on Instagram, with a screenshot of Coulter's post. Her co-host Rosie O'Donnell also shared to her Instagram and added the caption: "talk about a cruel heartless woman - she's the worst."

However, GOP nominee Donald Trump's campaign spoke out against the backlash, pointing out many Republicans slammed anyone who criticized Gus, and the discussion about him was distracting from issues at hand.

"This campaign is focused on holding Walz and Harris accountable for their dangerously liberal policies that are bad for America," a spokesperson for the Trump campaign told Newsweek in a statement.

Former The View co-host Star Jones also shared her thoughts on the matter.

"There is a special place in Hell for adults who bully Children. God does not like ugly ... and he ain't [too] fond of vile and disgusting women who use their vast platform to vilify the vulnerable. #DoBetter," she wrote on Instagram adding, "I said what I said!"

While CNN anchor Jake Tapper refused to directly acknowledge Coulter's post, he suggested anyone criticizing Gus was in need of some "soul searching."

"Not gonna platform any of the (sadly multiple) examples of this, but if you're attacking the innocent underage kids of politicians whose views you don't like you really should log off and do some soul searching. If such a thing is possible," he wrote.

Another CNN anchor, Jim Sciutto, echoed his colleague on X.

"Remember: mocking a child is an enormous self-own. There's no clearer demonstration of false strength. Enough said," he wrote.

Billionaire Mark Cuban reposted a person who shared a video of Gus cheering saying he had "mental problems."

"You've never had that feeling, have you? So proud of someone you love, that you can't hold back. Every emotion you can feel, comes pouring out. It's the best feeling in the world," Cuban responded.

Tommy Vietor, a former staffer under Barack Obama's administration, mocked Coulter in the replies of her since-deleted post.

"I can see why a child loving their parents would feel foreign to you," he wrote.

Actor Billy Baldwin had some harsher words for the Coulter and wrote them above a clip of comedian Pete Davidson joking about her during Comedy Central's The Roast of Rob Lowe.

"F*** off Ann you... "repugnant, hatchet faced b****," he wrote on X.

Update 08/23/24, 9:50 a.m. ET. This article was updated to include comment from Trump's campaign.