Rob Schneider has sparked controversy following his inappropriate and bizarre response to the passing of NBA Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo.
After the NBA announced on Monday that Mutombo had died at the age of 58 from brain cancer, Schneider took to social media to link Mutombo‘s death to his anti-vaccination stance.
Instead of offering condolences, Schneider dug up a 2021 tweet from Mutombo that encouraged people to get vaccinated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Schneider then quote-tweeted the post, suggesting the vaccine may have played a role in the basketball legend’s death.
“Rest in Peace… I’m sure this is just (another) coincidence,” Schneider tweeted.
“But I took a pass on the Jab and I’m gonna not let anyone I know (and who will Listen) get it either!”
Schneider’s remarks have been widely criticized
Schneider‘s comments triggered widespread outrage, accumulating 4.7 million views by Tuesday morning.
Fans and social media users expressed their disgust at the comedian’s use of Mutombo‘s death to push his anti-vaccine agenda, especially given that the athlete passed away due to brain cancer.
One user condemned Schneider for “celebrating another human’s death from cancer,” while another called him an “absolute imbecile” for spreading misinformation.
Despite the backlash, Schneider doubled down on his position. He responded on Tuesday with an anti-vaccination video, further criticizing public figures like Joe Biden, Anthony Fauci, and the media for their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In contrast to his comments about Mutombo, Schneider posted a much more compassionate tribute to MLB legend Pete Rose, who passed away earlier this week.
Schneider praised Rose as “the All Time Leader in Hits” and highlighted his impact on baseball, leaving many puzzled by the stark difference in tone between his posts about Rose and Mutombo.
Schneider’s controversial opinions have caused friction within his own family as well. His daughter, singer Elle King, has publicly distanced herself from his views, calling him “toxic” and rejecting his anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.
