In the aftermath of the shocking interaction, some fans are concerned that Will Smith received a huge award after seemingly assaulting someone on live television. One wrote on Twitter, “I’m tripping that you can assault someone on live television on stage at the Oscars and just take your seat and watch the rest of the show.” Some think Smith shouldn’t ever be allowed back to the Oscars and that he should face legal repercussions. One tweeted, “Will Smith needs to be arrested for assault & permanently banned from the Oscars.”
These select viewers weren’t the only ones left shocked and confused. Another spectator tweeted, “Only in America could an A Lister assault someone in front of the entire planet, on live TV, not get arrested, then win an award, then describe himself as a ‘vessel of love’, to a standing ovation.” Another said, “I love the hell out of Will Smith, but he should have been removed from the theater the second he decided to assault someone, and if he was any other Joe Schmo he would have been. This was shameful on so many levels.” People weren’t having it, and they saw a clear double standard in what was happening. “So Will Smith wins the Oscar and talks about protecting and defending his family, like Richard Williams. You can protect and not assault. The fact that you apologized to everyone except Chris speaks volumes,” tweeted another.
