Following a storm of controversy over his social media posts, Guy Pearce has issued a heartfelt apology for sharing "misinformation and falsehoods" in support of Palestine. According to Jewish News, the actor inadvertently reposted content featuring white nationalist and far-right political activist Nick Fuentes, among other inflammatory statements. These included accusations that the "top three pornography companies are owned by Jewish people," blaming Israel for the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and even accusing Israeli officials of orchestrating the murder of Charlie Kirk.
Pearce also shared posts from an account dubbed Corefitnessbynaz2, which spouted such lines as, "Remember, when Zionists tell you Islam will destroy America... While several major Las Vegas casinos/hotels that have caused gambling addictions, debt, and prostitution were created and owned by Jewish Zionists... The Zionists (not Jews) want you to fear the people who stand against the corruption they are creating."
Confronted by Jewish News, Pearce offered a sincere apology, stating, "It has been brought to my attention that, in my support of Palestine, I have inadvertently re-posted articles and/or statements that have contained misinformation and falsehoods. I am aware how sharing inaccurate content can cause confusion and distress; for this, I am deeply sorry. I will certainly endeavor to be more diligent in future to verify anything I share online."
Taking a step further in his retraction, Pearce announced on X that he would be taking a break from social media in light of the backlash. "Earlier this week, I issued an apology for sharing misleading and inaccurate posts and commentary on social media," he wrote. "I meant every word of that apology but I recognize that meaningful action must accompany any apology. To prevent any further hurt, confusion, or damage to others, I will be stepping back from social media for the time being."
Pearce's unwavering support for Palestine is well-documented. Earlier this year at the Oscars, where he was nominated for his role in The Brutalist, he paired his tuxedo with a small pin depicting a white enamel dove embossed with "Free Palestine." At the Cannes Film Festival in 2024, he wore a pin depicting the Palestinian flag, which resulted in an uproar after it was discovered that Vanity Fair France had photoshopped the pin out of an image on its website. "As the Palestinian people are already suffering great trauma and loss due to the vengeful regime of Netanyahu, it is most unfortunate that a reputable publication like VF attempts to eliminate support that I or anyone chooses to offer," Pearce told CNN at the time.
While Pearce's apology has been acknowledged by a spokesperson for the Campaign Against Antisemitism, they emphasized the need for concrete change. "Guy Pearce has a long track record of amplifying material that pushes some of the most toxic antisemitic conspiracies," they said. "His posts have not been harmless activism; they have spread ideas that sit firmly within the canon of classic antisemitism. His apology is a step in the right direction, and it is right that he acknowledges the damage that misinformation can cause. But apologies are easy to give after the fact. What matters now is whether he genuinely changes his behavior and stops promoting this kind of content."
This is not the first time Pearce has found himself apologizing for social media posts. In 2023, he was criticized for a series of tweets about casting involving trans actors, which he later deleted and apologized for, stating, "I see that raising the question of gender identity within the casting process on a platform like Twitter was not a good idea. For that I apologize, enormously. The point I wanted to raise was one about defending the definition of acting and nothing more."
