Kansas City Chiefs player Harrison Butker took to social media to express his criticism of a segment in the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony held in Paris. The segment in question depicted a scene reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci’s painting, The Last Supper.
The ceremony included various performances celebrating French culture and history, with one particularly controversial presentation involving drag queens and actors recreating The Last Supper scene, portraying Jesus Christ’s final meal with his disciples before his crucifixion.
Butker uploaded a video of the moment to his X account, accompanied by a Bible verse from Galatians that reads, “God is not mocked.” The post quickly gained over 1 million views.
“Be not deceived, God is not mocked. For what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap. For he that soweth in his flesh, of the flesh also shall reap corruption. But he that soweth in the spirit, of the spirit shall reap life everlasting.” – Galatians 6:7-8 pic.twitter.com/bhCHoO1HXk
— Harrison Butker (@buttkicker7) July 26, 2024
Butker also shared his thoughts on the performance on Instagram, describing it as “crazy.” Earlier this year, the NFL player faced backlash for controversial remarks made during a college commencement speech, where he highlighted traditional gender roles and criticized Pride Month.
Following Butker’s reaction, several conservative figures, including former college athlete Riley Gaines and the account Libs of TikTok, voiced their disapproval of the ceremony’s depiction of The Last Supper, labeling the event as “woke” and disrespectful to Christians.
Renowned entrepreneur Elon Musk joined the conversation, expressing his view that the portrayal was highly disrespectful towards the Christian community. Additionally, Bishop Robert Barron condemned the performance, calling it a “gross mockery” of a central Christian religious event.
European Parliament member Marion Marechal acknowledged the controversy and offered a message to Christian viewers feeling offended, emphasizing that the portrayal did not represent the broader French culture but rather a provocative minority element.
The internet buzzed with discussions sparked by Butker’s engagement with the controversial ceremony, highlighting differing sentiments on the boundaries of artistic expression and religious sensitivity.