14 DAY TRIAL // In the perfect example of how things can sometimes go terribly wrong without as much as an incentive, Scott Baio is now worried about the safety of his family after a comment he posted on Twitter has drawn several death threats. Baio posted a photo of Michelle Obama together with what he considered a funny comment – but many have failed to see the humor in it, the New York Daily News writes.
The picture in question showed the First Lady caught open-mouthed as she was probably saying something to someone. She was also frowning, which could have easily made anyone believe she was about to launch on a physical attack or something along those lines. Baio’s comment to the photo read “WOW He wakes up to this every morning.” Clearly, not a flattering remark but, the actor says, also certainly not one that should warrant death threats.
“In minutes, the former ‘Charles in Charge’ star received a slew of angry comments. Some were on the playful side: ‘Well she’s still better looking than your doughy looking [expletive].’ Others were downright frightening. ‘Easy to find your house Scottie boy and finish YOU,’ one person wrote. ‘I am a republican and I love Mrs O.’ Baio backtracked immediately, saying he’s not a racist. His wife’s best friend is black,” the aforementioned publication says of the incident.
“‘For New followers: I POST A LOT OF JOKES WITH PICS,’ Baio wrote. ‘They are JUST that, a joke. NOT targeting anyone. Laughter IS the best medicine.’ The brouhaha prompted Baio to contact the FBI and scores of people to begin following him on Twitter. ‘Because people love to hate,’ Baio said,” NY Daily News further writes. As of now, all attempts at making some of his Twitter followers understand that he had meant no harm by the joke have been more or less futile.
As a recent post on the same Twitter page indicates, Baio has received so far no less than 150 direct threats to his child, in what he deems typically loser behavior because no one should ever pick on an infant. The FBI and Twitter are now offering Baio all the support he needs in this situation, in the hope that those making the death threats will be prevented from acting upon them.