BD Wong faces backlash for making racist comment online

In the United States, actor BD Wong faced significant backlash for a racist comment he made on social media on December 1, 2025. The incident occurred when Wong, known for his roles in "Jurassic Park" and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," responded to a post by influencer Mike Holston, who is known as "The Real Tarzan." Holston had shared a photo of himself holding a large animal on his shoulders with the caption, "Name this animal… wrong answers only." Wong's comment, which was quickly interpreted as racist, stated, "It appears to be a Black man." Following the backlash, Wong deleted his comment but the damage was already done as screenshots circulated, igniting discussions about racism and dehumanization in society. Wong later issued a public apology on his Threads account, reflecting on his actions and the hurt they caused. He expressed regret for his comment and described it as a "despicable, racist trope" spoken in the spirit of humor, which he acknowledged as inappropriate. Wong stated, "I do know better, but again no excuses." His apology sought to address not only the backlash but also the underlying issues regarding the historical dehumanization of Black individuals. In his posts, Wong emphasized the importance of recognizing the impact such comments can have, admitting he took the comment down to avoid perpetuating harm to others despite the backlash that had already begun. He further elaborated that it was wrong to exploit racial stereotypes for humor and vowed to learn from this experience. Wong has been vocal about issues concerning representation and racial dynamics in the entertainment industry, and this incident has reignited a conversation about accountability and the effect of actions on marginalized communities. His apology highlights a growing awareness among public figures about the ripple effect of their words and the necessity for sensitivity in public discourse, especially regarding race-related issues.