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.

Federal Judge Sides with CNN, Politico, MS NOW in Battle Against White House

Massive trove of Republican voter and donor info breached in Biden DOJ probe: Senate chairman

Apple Launches New Gadget with ‘Painfully Bad’ Ad That’s Making People ‘Actively Not Want to Buy the Product’

Iowa Dem Senate candidate says he’s too busy campaigning to attend all state House votes

Missing Summer Wells’ father arrested on domestic assault charge in Tennessee

Mystery woman sought after American found dead in Costa Rican tourist destination

Watch: Kathy Hochul Stumbles in Debate Opening Statement and Republican Opponent Bruce Blakeman Pounces

The Houthis Are Receiving Help Directly from China as They Attempt to Build Their Own Game-Changing Weapon: Report

Trump says ‘we are looking into’ other Dan Sullivan on Alaska ballot, warns about governor’s race

New York governor debate heats up as Blakeman, Hochul spar over Trump, sanctuary status, ICE shooting

Does anyone want to win this race? Talarico and Paxton stumble to finish line in Texas Senate contest

‘Tsunami of Republican Money’ Could Turn Midterms Upside Down, Says Top Democrat

NY Dem Congressional Candidate Wants Cornell 7’s ‘Severed Heads on Pikes,’ Ignores That There’s Been No Trial

99,000 arrested at Mexican border in Trump’s first year versus two million in Biden’s year one

Schumer warns of Republican advantage that could change the battle for Senate control

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.”