A wave of disbelief and anger has erupted online following controversial remarks made by Steve-O, the famed daredevil of MTV’sJackass. The performer ignited a firestorm by asserting that a majority of immigrants are “murderers” during a recent podcast appearance.
The comments came during a conversation with comedian Harland Williams, himself a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Canada, on Steve-O’sWild Ride!podcast. Steve-O’s assertion was blunt and immediately challenged by Williams, who vehemently disagreed with the generalization.
Williams countered Steve-O’s claim, labeling it a “huge fallacy.” He presented a statistical argument, suggesting that even attributing a minuscule percentage of violent crime to the immigrant population would fall far short of a majority. He acknowledged illegal activity driven by desperation, but dismissed murder as statistically improbable.
Steve-O attempted to pivot, suggesting a significant number of immigrants are involved in fentanyl trafficking. This only intensified the criticism, as it continued to paint an entire group with a broad and damaging brush. The exchange quickly became a focal point of online debate.
The 51-year-old is no stranger to pushing boundaries, both physically and socially. His career has been defined by audacious stunts, including a 2015 protest against SeaWorld that involved scaling a crane and resulted in jail time.
Beyond his stunts, Steve-O has been candid about his past struggles with addiction and a period spent living in London. More recently, he faced legal consequences for a stunt involving jumping from Tower Bridge into the River Thames with a Union Jack umbrella.
The podcast comments have sparked widespread condemnation, with many expressing disappointment and outrage at the performer’s words. The incident raises questions about the responsibility of public figures and the potential impact of inflammatory rhetoric.
