Alec Baldwin took to Instagram to celebrate Veterans Day with a photo of Kevin Bacon from the HBO drama Taking Chance. Kevin played Lieutenant Colonel Michael Strobl in the 2009 film, and Alec thought his character would make a good representation of military veterans.
Alec was wrong as social media users found his post offensive and out of touch. The movie was set in the Iraqi wartime as Kevin’s Strobl helped transport a fellow soldier’s remains from there to Wyoming.
The internet reacts to Alec Baldwin’s Veterans Day posts
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Fans called Alec out for his tone-deaf Veterans Day tribute, noting that it was unkind to ignore photos of real soldiers for a fictional character. “This is extremely strange. Why would you post a picture of an actor playing a Marine?” someone asked, after which he was met with rebuttals from Alec’s fans.
Those defending Alec said the outrage over his post has been performative, and asked those who feel offended to get over themselves. Alec himself managed to address some of the critics, advising them to leave his page if they disapprove of his content.
Fans of Kevin Bacon get nostalgic
Alec’s post was a chance for Kevin’s fans to discuss the iconic movie Taking Chance, which earned the actor a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for TV and a SAG award. “It’s important to celebrate the sacrifices Kevin Bacon has made,” someone quipped, while another called the Ross Katz-directed film one of the best works he has ever watched
Another joked about Kevin’s role in the War/Drama, noting that he deserved recognition on Veterans Day for playing Strobl. “What’s the problem? Kevin single-handedly saved the town of Bomont, UT, in the Great Footloose Battle of 1984! You guys are some haters!” they protested.