A man’s engagement post in which he proposes to his glamorous girlfriend has sparked a brutal response online.
Addison Smith, 24, a national correspondent for Newsmax, posted engagement photos Sunday with his now fiancée, Charis Edwards, 22, a senior booking producer for “Lou Dobbs Tonight.”
Smith accompanied the photos with a caption that quickly divided the internet.
“Pride month is so defeated. I love you @charisedwardss,” Smith said in a post on X.
Smith told DailyMail.com after going viral: ‘Just when we thought our engagement weekend couldn’t get any better, we activated an army of libs in the process. We can’t think of a better way to end pride month.”
Addison Smith, 24, a national correspondent for Newsmax, proposed to his girlfriend Charis Edwards, 22, on Sunday
In the engagement photos, Smith was seen on his right knee, wearing tan khaki pants and a blue floral button down, with a glittering diamond ring in a black box.
Edwards wore a short pastel pink dress with a large bow at the back as she hugged her husband-to-be.
But the caption seemed to cause friction, with viewers sharing their reactions in droves – many who are members of the LGBTQ community – expressing how disrespected they felt.
“It’s not really clear to me that you had to make such a beautiful moment about LGBTQ people, especially when we want you to find your happiness in the family as much as we do.” I hope you find peace in this next chapter,” one said.
‘Imagine asking someone to marry you and immediately thinking about the consequences for gay people. Which is not the case,” said another.
Another wrote: “Sending my condolences to her,” while another added: “My condolences to your wife.”
Smith shared beautiful engagement photos of the two on social media with a caption that caught the attention of many online. (photo: the couple in June 2022)
“So what you’re saying, while you’re asking a woman to marry you, you’re thinking about gays,” another person commented.
Another said: ‘This is so sad.. so very sad. What should have been one of the best moments of your life and all you can think about is pride month. Does she know?’
Shortly afterwards, Edwards reposted his tweet saying, “Make June Great Again.” Smith then shared her tweet saying, “Make June not gay again.”
Although many people responded negatively to Smith’s post, he continued to share his thoughts on his big day with the internet.
Shortly afterwards, he posted a meme of Conor McGregor winning the championship title in a UFC match and captioned it: “To the gays who are upset because I’m engaged to my beautiful wife-to-be during pride month.”
Although many people responded negatively to Smith’s post, he continued to share his thoughts on his big day with the internet. (photo: the engaged couple in Del Mar, California, March 2022)
He also reposted a tweet that said, “Addison REALLY wants gay people to know he’s engaged to a WOMAN.”
In response, Smith said, “Yes, because she’s amazing and heterosexual.”
Smith also welcomed the attention his post received, saying: “Hundreds of thousands of views.”
‘Endless angry reactions. The libs are activated. PRIDE MONTH IS DECIMED!! HUGE WHITE BOY SUMMER W.”
Before working at Newsmax, a right-wing political channel, Smith hosted “In Focus With Addison Smith” on One America News Network.
He has been featured on Fox News, The Blaze, the Daily Wire and more. Only the News reported.
His fiancée is a booking producer for ‘Lou Dobbs Tonight’, an American political and financial talk show.
According to Edwards’ LinkedIn, she also previously worked at One American News Network in on-air and writing roles.
Pride is a month-long celebration that takes place every year in June. It was inspired by the Stonewall riots, a series of gay liberation protests that took place in 1969.
The celebration is full of parades, marches and many outdoor events celebrating the entire LGBTQ+ community.
DailyMail.com has contacted Addison Smith for comment.