Tom Hanks’ son, Colin Hanks has been firing off an angry tweets about President Donald Trump all week, and social media is struggling to keep up The actor was furious about the Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, especially after his father and stepmother tested positive for the illness while overseas in Australia. Now his tweets are the perfect storm of politics, celebrity and international news.
Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson revealed that they were sick with the coronavirus on Wednesday. The couple was in Australia, working on the upcoming Elvis Presley movie when they were apparently exposed to the virus. They thanked fans for their concern and urged them not to worry about them.
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“Hello, folks. Rita and I are down here in Australia,” Hanks’ statement began. “We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches. Rita had some chills that came and went. Slight fevers too. To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the Coronavirus, and were found to be positive.”
“Well, now. What to do next? The Medical Officials have protocols that must be followed,” his statement continued. “We Hanks’ will be tested, observed, and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires. Not much more to it than a one-day-at-a-time approach, no?”
“We’ll keep the world posted and updated,” he concluded. “Take care of yourselves! Hanx!”
That same day, Hanks’ 42-year-old son, Colin made a furious post about the Trump administration’s new measures to stop the spread of “misinformation” about the virus.
“So NOW Trump and the White House are concerned about the spread of misinformation,” he tweeted.
Hanks was already an outspoken opponent of President Trump on Twitter, but with his father’s health now in the headlines, his tweets have picked up more notice than ever. The Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle star is getting some fresh pushback on his views, but plenty of fresh support as well.
Here is a look at how Twitter is feeling about Colin Hanks’ tweets through the coronavirus outbreak.
Well-Wishes
Wishing you & your folks well, Colin.๐
โ Kathy๐ท(#WashYourFuckingHands)๐ท (@everybodyzzmama) March 12, 2020
All of Colin Hanks’ posts in the last few days have prompted thoughts, prayers and well-wishes from others on Twitter, who say that his family is in their thoughts. Many are thinking of Colin and his siblings as well, worried about how they are handling the anxiety.
‘Infuriating’
Infuriating
โ stephanie ๐ (@nikrals) March 11, 2020
Others were angry with Colin, and on his behalf. They posted about how “infuriating” it was to see the coronavirus handled in this way, with no actionable way to change it.
Love From Australia
Your parents getting great care and treatment here on the Gold Coast Colin. Along with abundant good wishes and prayers from fans and friends here & around the world.
โ Peter Ford (@mrpford) March 12, 2020
Some fans from Australia posted reassuring messages for Colin, promising that his parents would be well-cared for in the land down under. They tried to soothe his fears at least that far.
Laughter is the best medicine
Glad we can make you laugh in this crazy time! Hope everything gets better with your family man!
โ Mark Phillips (@SupremeDreams_1) March 13, 2020
Even when Hanks paused for a moment of levity on Twitter this week, fans commented on his parents’ health status and his presumably complicated feelings about it.
Trump Defenders
who friggin cares? hes living life and not dwelling on the virus, but he is doing something about it
โ Stephanie Camello (@StephCamello) March 8, 2020
Of course, Colin’s posts also drew detractors to his Twitter account, including some who defended President Trump from Colin’s criticisms. Others tried to warn them that they were being disrespectful given the personal stakes of this crisis for Colin’s family.
‘Fear-Mongering’
Stop it, you’re just playing into the fear mongering….
โ Big Lou (@bowhuntli) March 9, 2020
Others accused Colin of contributing to “the fear-mongering,” saying that it was irresponsible to make commentary about the virus on a big platform. This is an issue many public figures have been struggling with โ even late night hosts like Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers debated with themselves about whether it was right to talk about the virus in their nightly monologues this week.
‘Not Tom’
And now your Father has tested positive. Iโm done with it! Not Tom! NNNNNNNOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/xwItWKpf60
โ Claudine โ๏ธ (@ClaudineU) March 12, 2020
Finally, many users online this week were issuing disbelieving cries on behalf of Tom Hanks, calling him a national treasure and an unflappable icon. They shared their sadness with Colin, in many cases.