Donald Trump SLAMS controversial Olympics opening ceremony in Paris
Donald Trump condemned the controversial opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris last week, calling it a “disgrace”.
The former president’s scrutiny comes amid fierce criticism over controversial religious imagery at the flashy event.
The Olympic organizers were forced to apologize to anyone offended by a painting reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” The painting depicts the moment when Jesus Christ announced that an apostle would betray him.
The scene at Friday’s ceremony featured DJ and producer Barbara Butch — an LGBTQ+ icon — flanked by drag performers and dancers. A backup dancer appeared to have exposed his genitals during the ceremony.
Religious conservatives around the world have fiercely complained about the segment, and Trump is the latest to speak out against it.
Donald Trump has condemned last week’s controversial opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics
This scene featuring drag queens reenacting The Last Supper caused controversy Friday night at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris
A singing artist painted in blue depicted the Greek god Dionysus during Friday’s ceremony
The former president told Fox: “I actually thought the opening ceremony was a disgrace. I thought it was a disgrace.”
Regarding the opening ceremony of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Trump said: “We’re not going to have a Last Supper like they did the other night.
‘I mean, they can do certain things. I thought it was horrible.
“Look, I’m for everybody. I’m very open-minded… but I thought what they did was a disgrace.”
The Bishops’ Conference of the French Catholic Church deplored the “mocking scenes” which they said were a parody of Christianity. Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, also agreed.
The Anglican Communion in Egypt expressed its “deep regret” on Sunday and said the ceremony could lead to the IOC “losing its distinctive sporting identity and its humanitarian message.”
Donald Trump Jr. has also criticized the director’s intentions, calling him “satanic.”
“My mother was an Olympic athlete (Czech National Ski Team) and as a kid we looked forward to the games for weeks,” Trump Jr. wrote on X, repeating the now-debunked, false claim that the late Ivana Trump was a member of the Czechoslovakian team for the 1972 Olympics.
“Now with the always predictable (and to me satanic) opening ceremonies with drag queens and the endless nonsense, no one I know thinks about it anymore, except maybe to watch some highlights,” he continued.
Donald Trump Jr. took to social media to criticize the opening ceremony performance
Anne Descamps, communications director for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, pictured at a press conference
But despite all the rumors about the director’s alleged “satanic” intentions, the scene may have been misinterpreted.
The ceremony’s artistic director, Thomas Jolly, distanced himself after the ceremony from any similarities to the Last Supper, saying the scene was meant to celebrate diversity and pay tribute to partying and French gastronomy.
Anne Descamps, the organizer of Paris 2024, has since apologized for any offensive religious images during the opening ceremony.
At a press conference on Sunday, Descamps apologized for the offenses he had caused and stressed that the ceremony was intended to “celebrate the tolerance of the community.”
“It was clearly never the intention to disrespect any religious group,” she said.
“On the contrary, I think Thomas Jolly was certainly trying to celebrate the tolerance of the community. We believe that this ambition has been achieved. If people feel offended, we are of course very sorry.”
This came after thousands of social media users threatened to boycott the Paris Olympics over the opening ceremony.
Angry viewers took to X (formerly Twitter) where “#boycottOlympics” and “#boycottParis2024” trended all the next day.
Rob Schneider echoed the criticisms of others, claiming that the ceremony celebrates Satan
The appearance of a “naked blue man” in a scene resembling the Last Supper angered many onlookers, especially Christians.
One of them wrote: ‘What a shameful opening of the 2024 Olympic Games #BoycottOlympics.’
Another stated that they “didn’t care about the Olympics” but were now “boycotting them 100 percent.”
Former Saturday Night Live host Rob Schneider is among those boycotting the Olympics over the controversial opening ceremony, which he sees as a satanic display that “shows no respect for Christianity.”
“I hate to wish ALL THE WORLD’S TOP ATHLETES the very best, but I cannot watch the Olympics where Christianity is disrespected and Satan is openly worshipped,” the 60-year-old wrote on X.
‘Men with their genitals hanging out in front of children?!’ Schneider wrote in another post. ‘Drag Queens?! I wasn’t sure if I was watching the @Olympics or a school board meeting…’