Actress Evan Rachel Wood Faces Backlash for Calling Kobe Bryant a ‘Rapist’ Hours After His Death

Activist actress Evan Rachel Wood faced a backlash on Monday, after calling Kobe Bryant a “rapist” in the hours after the NBA star tragically died in a helicopter crash.

Wood was lambasted by fans who were aghast that she would bring up past accusations of rape lodged against the player just as the nation tries to come to terms with his death.

“What has happened is tragic. I am heartbroken for Kobe’s family. He was a sports hero. He was also a rapist. And all of these truths can exist simultaneously,” Wood tweeted Sunday only hours after the media reported the player’s death.

The Westworld star was alluding to the accusation of rape that was pressed against Bryant 17 years ago.

Back in 2003, the NBA superstar was accused of rape by a 19-year-old hotel employee who said Bryant sexually assaulted her at The Lodge and Spa at Cordillera in Colorado. Bryant ultimately faced no prosecution when the case was dropped because police found the DNA of another man in the accuser’s underwear. A civil case dragged on until 2005 when the player settled for an undisclosed amount.

But fans were incensed that Wood used her note about the player’s death to dredge up the accusations against him. The liberal actress’s Twitter feed bristled with condemnation.

Los Angeles School District Pivots Away from Denying Equal Treatment to Student Bible Club

Poland seeks answers after Pentagon scraps planned US armored brigade rotation

Blue-state tax burden fuels Americans fleeing to Republican-led southern states

Former Virginia assistant principal on trial after allegedly ignoring warnings before 6-year-old shot teacher

What the Data Actually Says About Abortion and Women’s Health

California’s New Congressional Maps Favoring Dems Could Be Struck Down by the Supreme Court: Report

Oct. 7 Exhibit Sign in London Removed After Police Warn It Could Attract Terrorists

Breaking: OJ Simpson Witness and LAPD Detective Mark Fuhrman Dead at 74

Report: Immigrants Are Voluntarily Leaving US in Record Numbers Under Trump

DC Bar lawyer withdraws from Ed Martin disciplinary case after partisan posts surface

Hegseth unleashes on Massie in GOP primary showdown against Trump-backed Navy SEAL vet

The New Democrats: MI Dem Blasted for Campaigning with Twerking Videos, Own Mugshots

Austin shooting suspect named, timeline of terror revealed after teens’ alleged 28-hour, 12-attack rampage

Mark Fuhrman, detective at center of OJ Simpson murder trial, dead at 74

Senate Republicans confirm nearly 50 of Trump’s picks for energy, land management

In fact, the condemnation became so heavy, by Monday afternoon Wood put her account on “protected” status so that people not already followed by the actress can no longer see them.

Despite, the move to hide her tweets, multiple outlets had already reported on the opposition she faced over her tweet.

Page Six, for instance, noted that Twitter user Catherine (Kathleen) Curtin scolded the actress, writing, “And this is where the MeToo movement has gotten out of control… attacking a man who literally just died less than 24 hours ago, with his little girl!”

Twitter user Wes Hatton, accused Wood of turning #MeToo into a joke, adding, “These things need to be taken seriously and your [sic] just looking for attention after him, and his daughter JUST died. Wow.”

Actress Kyla Pratt noted that she loves Wood’s work but slammed her for the tweet. “But this tweet? How f–king dare you?” she wrote.

For her part, Wood tried to take a step back and explain her original message

“Beloveds,” she wrote in explanation, “this was not a condemnation or a celebration. It was a reminder that everyone will have different feelings, and there is room for us all to grieve together instead of fighting, everyone has lost.”