Marvel star Chris Pratt is under fire after he stepped out in a controversial T-shirt.
The “Avengers: Endgame” actor, 39, was snapped on Sunday wearing a top that is a mash-up of the Gadsden flag, which was designed during the American Revolution, and a modern US flag.
The Gadsden flag — which was created by Continental Army Brig. Gen. Christopher Gadsden — involves a coiled rattlesnake over a message that reads, “Don’t Tread on Me.”
Though the insignia is used by the US Men’s Soccer Team, as well as the band Metallica, it also has been adopted by far-right political groups and Second Amendment supporters. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says it is “sometimes interpreted to convey racially tinged messages in some contexts,” Yahoo News reported.
So when Pratt went for a stroll in Pacific Palisades, Calif., with his new bride, Katherine Schwarzenegger, his outfit choice became a lightning rod on social media.
“Nice shirt… Only people I see with that flag are alt-right racists,” tweeted one user.
Another Twitter user wrote: “Unfollowed already. Haven’t liked him since Parks & Rec anyhow, and I can easily cancel him in that too. @prattprattpratt hope those bigots pay you a good pay check.”
But others defended the actor, saying: “How the hell is the ‘don’t tread on me’ flag, which is fully authorized by the @USNavy racist? Stay strong @prattprattpratt.”
Reps for the actor didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.