Popular right-wing figure Ian Miles Cheong this week made fun of a YouTuber who got emotional while watching the new trailer for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. The post backfired on Cheong, as many were quick to rally around the Star Wars fan.
“I’m going to cringe to death,” Cheong tweeted along with a snippet of Eric Butts’ video.
I’m going to cringe to death. https://t.co/PkShVqHgUR
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) April 14, 2019
Cheong told the Daily Dot that he stands by his post and would do it again, despite the backlash.
“I wouldn’t be a commentator if I kept my opinions to myself,” he said.
Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker in the film series, came to Butts’ defense and later offered him some encouraging words.
“Why anyone would ridicule someone so passionate and clearly enjoying what he’s seeing is beyond me,” Hamill wrote on Twitter.
Why anyone would ridicule someone so passionate & clearly enjoying what he's seeing is beyond me. #UPFsAreTheBestFans 👍
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) April 15, 2019
Hi Eric- Thanks for sharing your amazing reaction to the trailer. It was inspiring to see you transported with joy in anticipation of IX. Makes what we do seem all the more worthwhile.
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) April 16, 2019
All the best, Mar🐫
PS: I salute you, sir: pic.twitter.com/7xOEVm3iju
Cheong, who is also a Star Wars fan, said that Hamill’s post doesn’t surprise him.
“[Hamill is] a nice guy, and he’s supporting a fan, which is good of him to do,” he said.
New York Comic Con also continued to encourage Butts and any other super fan out there like him.
Hey, you.
— New York Comic Con (@NY_Comic_Con) April 16, 2019
Yes, you who cries over a Star Wars trailer. Who wishes the Avengers were real. Who stays up late reading comic books.
You're great & when someone tries to make you feel less than that, remember there's a community of geeks who are with you. Keep doing your thing. https://t.co/kaEQcUimxP
Others on Twitter also came to Butts’ defense, calling Cheong an “asshole” and “dumbass” while offering supportive words to Butts.
— David Alejandro (@Davidla95Dh) April 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/PeanutButterGmr/status/1118032760650657792
Yeah that’s what I was gonna say. It’s beautiful seeing someone express this much joy in something.
— Thestruggler (@Killahungry) April 16, 2019
“I just want to thank everyone for the incredible amount of love and support they’ve been showing,” Butts told the Daily Dot. “I am terribly happy by all the joy I seem to have brought a lot of people.”
Cheong said he doesn’t feel like he’s negating Butts’ “joy” with his post.
“I’m not taking away this man’s joy by cringing at it, or even admitting it’s how I reacted to his video,” he said. “I would say to the people calling me an asshole that they’re free to express whatever they feel.”
There has been speculation that Butts initially posted the video to Steam and later deleted it out of embarrassment. But Butts told the Daily Dot that he only ever uploaded it to YouTube.
“They pirated two minutes out of my 9-minute video,” Butts said. “So, they also stole a ton of ad revenue, but it’s worked out very well for me, and I’m not going to complain.”
The video has now been watched nearly 350,000 times and received over 10,000 comments.
“They’ve given me so many YouTube views I just bought a new Lightsaber… while wearing my cargo shorts!” Butts said.
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