John Stamos is trying to clear up his controversial appearance an event at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate over the weekend after stirring up online backlash.
The 61-year-old Full House star was lambasted on social media by numerous accounts after pH๏τos of him appearing on stage and posing with other attendees began appearing online.
Stamos took to his Instagram Stories on Monday to explain that he visited the club to serve as emcee for the Palm Beach Ray of Hope Gala.
He defended the charity event while also reiterating his liberal bona fides in a text post.
‘I accepted the invitation to emcee the Palm Beach Ray of Hope Gala — an evening dedicated to honoring and uplifting our frontline heroes,’ he wrote. ‘This nonpartisan event supports The Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations, a 501(c) (3) organization that trains 350–400 nurses every year, directly addressing the critical shortage of healthcare professionals in Palm Beach County.’
Stamos emphasized that his participation wasn’t at all ‘political.’
John Stamos, 61, is trying to clear up his controversial appearance an event at President Donald Trump ‘s Mar-a-Lago estate over the weekend after stirring up online backlash
He defended the charity event while also reiterating his liberal bona fides in a text post shared to his Instagram Stories on Monday
‘Supporting nurses isn’t political — it’s essential,’ he declared. ‘These are the people who care for us and our families when we need it most, and I believe we should show up for them with the same unwavering dedication they show up with every single day.
‘I stand by the importance of healthcare, of service, and of investing in those who care for our communities,’ he continued.
‘My values and political views remain unchanged,’ he concluded, adding, ‘if you don’t donate to Palm Beach Ray of Hope, then please consider donating to Democracy Forward,’ a left-leaning nonprofit group that often sues the Trump administration over alleged corruption.
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The California-born General Hospital star’s statement came after social media users slammed him online and vowed to unfollow his social media accounts.
‘John Stamos just ruined his brand forever,’ one person wrote on X. ‘You can’t visit Mar-a-Lago and then expect the stink to ever leave you.’
‘John Stamos at Mar-a-Lago? Disappointing. Uncle Jesse would never,’ another user quipped.
‘Time to cancel Full House reruns, can’t watch without thinking of this betrayal. What’s next, DJ Tanner at a MAGA rally? Gross.’
‘Everyone unfollowed John Stamos immediately,’ one person observed.
Stamos claimed the event wasn’t partisan and stressed the importance of helping out with the fundraiser for nurses; pictured with Melissa ʙuттerworth, one of the dance compeтιтion judges
The actor was blasted by liberal fans on social media — though some also defended him
However, others defended Stamos, pointing out that Mar-a-Lago has rentable venues while separating politics from supporting the nonprofit.
‘Stamos can speak wherever he wants. Everyone has different views but no need to attack someone for their views. If John wants to speak somewhere he can and I’m not gonna hate or dislike him for it,’ one fan wrote on X.
‘Can we blame whoever booked the fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago for supporting Trump instead of John Stamos for supporting frontline workers?’ another wrote.
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‘The guy made the choice not to politicize supporting a charity and ended up getting torn down in the process’.
The Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations charity website said it paired ‘prominent local community figures with professional dancers’ at the gala to raise money for the organization.
Dancing with the Stars alums Artem Chigvinstev and Karina Smirnoff also attended the event as judges for the dance contest.
Stamos is frequently spotted at charity fundraising events — including a December 2022 event supporting the LA County Sheriff’s Department’s Academy Class 464 that he emceed — and his wife Caitlin McHugh Stamos co-founded the Civic Soul nonprofit, which aims to united people through ‘acts of service, compᴀssion and shared humanity.’
The Palm Beach Ray of Hope Gala — which described itself as ‘nonpartisan’ — included a dance compeтιтion in which ‘prominent local community figures’ were paired with professional dancers.
‘I stand by the importance of healthcare, of service, and of investing in those who care for our communities,’ Stamos wrote, adding, ‘My values and political views remain unchanged’
Stamos is frequently spotted at charity fundraising events, including a December 2022 event supporting the LA County Sheriff’s Department’s Academy Class 464 that he emceed
Liberals and ethics watchdogs have accused conservatives groups since the first Trump administration of holding events at the President’s properties in order to curry favor with him and help line his pockets; Mar-a-Lago is pictured on February 18
The event got an extra dose of star power, as former Dancing With The Stars pros Artem Chigvintsev and Karina Smirnoff attended.
Although the event claimed to be nonpartisan, it was notably co-chaired by Linda Adelson and Janet Levy, both of whom are supporters of President Donald Trump.
Levy is one of the co-founders of The Trumpettes, a women’s organization supporting Trump’s efforts to reshape the country, and Adelson is a member of the group.
Liberals and ethics watchdogs have accused conservatives groups since the first Trump administration of holding events at the President’s properties in order to curry favor with him and help line his pockets.