“Dukes of Hazzard” star John Schneider claimed he didn’t call for President Joe Biden‘s death on social media, but the Secret Service has opened an investigation.
“Mr. President, I believe you are guilty of treason and should be publicly hung,” Schneider, 63, posted on X, formerly Twitter on Tuesday.
“Your son too,” he said in a shot at Hunter Biden. “Your response is..? Sincerely, John Schneider.”
The “Smallville” star wrote the since deleted tweet in response to a post by Biden.
BREAKING REPORT: Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider says BIDEN IS 'GUILTY of treason'..
— Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) December 22, 2023
“Trump poses many threats to our country: The right to choose, civil rights, voting rights, and America’s standing in the world,” Biden’s X account wrote on Wednesday.
“But the greatest threat he poses is to our democracy. If we lose that, we lose everything.”
Biden’s social media post came on the heels of the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to restrict the former president from appearing on the 2024 state ballot.
According to the New York Post, Schneider claimed that he did not advocate for violence against the current President of the United States.
“Seriously, folks? This is my final comment on this. I neither said nor implied any such thing,” he began in a lengthy denial.
“Despite headlines claiming otherwise, in my post, I absolutely did not call for an act of violence or threaten a U.S. president as many other celebrities have done in the past,” he stated.
“I suggest you re-read my actual post and pay attention to the words before believing this nonsense.”
Schneider said his actual post contained “no threat” of violence against Biden, and pointed out that he’s allowed to have an opinion about American politicians.
“It’s my position, which I am entitled to have, that some of our nations leaders in Washington have lost their way, and corruption runs rampant, both on our nation’s borders and abroad,” he told the outlet.
When appearing on the Masked Singer as a singing donut didn’t increase John Schneider’s notoriety, he decided to threaten the President’s life. pic.twitter.com/agU8dSLmqZ
— Meacham (proud Vermin) 🌊 🌊 (@MeachamDr) December 22, 2023
“Transparency and accountability must happen in order for our constitutional republic to survive,” Schneider added. “There is no threat implied or otherwise in that statement.“
The Secret Service seems to disagree about the “threat” level of the actor’s public post, and indicated that he was on their radar because of it.
“The Secret Service is aware of the comments made by Mr. Schneider, and as a matter of practice, we do not comment on matters involving protective intelligence,” the agency remarked in a statement to the Post.
“We can say, however, that the Secret Service investigates all threats related to our protectees,” they concluded.
Schneider, who lost “The Masked Singer” when he was unveiled as the crooner in the donut costume the same day he made the post, was met with outrage from the internet.
“John Schneider called for President Biden and his son to be executed,” one person wrote.
“I don’t care how old and obsolete he is. It’s a crime. Arrest him.”
John Schneider called for President Biden and his son to be executed. I don’t care how old and obsolete he is. It’s a crime. Arrest him.
— Jane of the North (@JaneotN) December 21, 2023
“John Schneider deleted his tweet saying President Biden should be hanged,” another added.
“But the internet is forever and wouldn’t it be a shame if “Bo Duke” receives a visit from some federal agents?”
So, my good friend @kathygriffin made a joke about Donald Trump & was investigated by the DOJ for TWO MONTHS. The DOJ better also be investigating John Schneider & be knocking on his door after he just demanded Joe Biden be “publicly hung.” He can’t delete his way out of this.
— Victor Shi (@Victorshi2020) December 21, 2023
While others pointed out how Schneider should face the same wrath as comedian Kathy Griffin, who posted a photo of herself holding a paper mache version Trump’s severed and bloody head in 2017.
“Is John Schneider going to get the same treatment that Kathy Griffin received from the Secret Service?” one commenter questioned.
“She posed for a picture, and he made an actual threat against the president and his son.”
Griffin claimed that she was investigated by federal law enforcement, interrogated under oath, and put on the no fly list over the stunt.
“So, my good friend [Griffin] made a joke about Donald Trump & was investigated by the DOJ for TWO MONTHS,” a former White House intern wrote on Thursday.
“The DOJ better also be investigating John Schneider & be knocking on his door after he just demanded Joe Biden be “publicly hung.” He can’t delete his way out of this.”