Life continues to unfold for David Beckham, as just a day after his eldest son, Brooklyn Beckham, shared their family rift on social media, David stepped out at the World Economic Forum's (WEF) 56th Annual Meeting in Switzerland. During the Jan. 20 event, David commented on the power of the internet, seemingly addressing his son's explosive accusations.
"I've always spoken about social media and its power, for the good and for the bad," said the proud father of Brooklyn, 26, Romeo, 23, Cruz, 20, and Harper, 14, as he appeared on CNBC's Squawk Box. "We've talked about the dangers that kids can face with access to these platforms."
"But personally, I've found that using it for the right reasons can be incredibly impactful," added the owner of Inter Miami CF. "I've been able to use my platform and my following for UNICEF, and it's been a powerful tool to raise awareness of issues affecting children worldwide. I've tried to do the same with my children."
He continued, "I've tried to teach them that mistakes are a part of learning. Children are allowed to make mistakes. That's how they grow. So, I try to instill that in my kids. But sometimes, you have to let them make those mistakes."
At another point during the event, the soccer star was directly asked about Brooklyn's statement by Sky News.
"David, do you have a message for Brooklyn this morning," correspondent Paul Kelso asked in a video shared by the outlet. "Are you disappointed that family business is being aired in public?"
But the 50-year-old didn't respond to the question as he walked across the event floor.
Brooklyn's lengthy Instagram statement marked the first time the 26-year-old had directly addressed the rumors of a feud between him, his wife Nicola Peltz Beckham, and his parents.
"I have been silent for years and made every effort to keep these matters private," he wrote on his Instagram Story on Jan. 19. "Unfortunately, my parents and their team have continued to go to the press, leaving me with no choice but to speak for myself and tell the truth about some of the lies that have been printed."
When asked if he wanted to extend an olive branch, Brooklyn added, "I do not want to reconcile with my family. I'm not being controlled; I'm standing up for myself for the first time in my life."
Among the accusations Brooklyn made were claims that his parents have continuously tried to "ruin" his relationship with Nicola and that their attempts to reconcile privately have been rejected. He also claimed that Victoria and David have sent "endless attacks" in the media.
Brooklyn also claimed that his parents told him before his 2022 wedding that Nicola was "not blood," and that Victoria "hijacked" their first dance.
"In front of our 500 wedding guests, Marc Anthony called me to the stage," Brooklyn recalled. "Where in the schedule was planned to be my romantic dance with my wife but instead my mum was waiting to dance with me instead."
Brooklyn added that the dance itself left him "uncomfortable" and "humiliated," writing about his mother, "She danced very inappropriately on me in front of everyone."
