Melbourne: Actor John Cusack has been accused of making threats against an American television station during a frustrated outburst on Twitter.
Cusack, 44, penned the controversial response after Twitter fans repeatedly asked about whether he supported plans to build an Islamic centre near the site of the September 11 terrorism attack in New York City.
“I AM FOR A SATANIC DEATH CULT CENTER AT FOX NEWS HQ AND OUTSIDE THE OFFICES [of] DICK ARMEY AND NEWT GINGRICH-and all the GOP WELFARE FREAKS,” the Age quoted him as tweeting on August 30.
Fox News hit back the next day, saying it was not surprised by the outspoken actor’s views.
“He supported Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election and has contributed to The Huffington Post, but this is the first known time he has stooped to the level of making threats,” reporter Jo Piazza wrote.
Piazza quoted a Beverley Hills-based psychiatrist, who criticised Cusack for making the potentially dangerous remarks.
“His provocative tweets could easily incite a rabid fan to commit violent acts against Fox News Headquarters and others he names,” Dr Carole Lieberman told the network.
“Fans could not only be influenced because of their devotion to Cusack, the man, but also because of their love for one of the characters he plays,” she stated.
Cusack later referred to the comments as a “most absurd, over the top joke”, uttered “after the 9000th time I was asked about ground zero centre”.
ANI
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