Ben Affleck found himself in a delicate position as he had a serious conversation with his 18-year-old daughter, Violet.
This comes amid increasing divorce tension with his wife, Jennifer Lopez. The actor has cautioned his daughter to be “realistic” about her activism, advising her not to rely on his celebrity status following a disheartening response to her passionate speech on mask mandates.
Last week, Violet Affleck made headlines with an impassioned plea to the governing body of Los Angeles County, advocating for the end of all mask bans in medical facilities and government buildings. She recounted her personal battle with a post-viral condition contracted in 2019, emphasizing the need for continued pandemic-era protections. Her speech, just under one minute long, was both praised and criticized, leaving the young advocate feeling “extremely disheartened.”
Violet’s speech drew a polarized response. Some praised her courage, while others dismissed her as “utterly deluded.” Her plea for stronger protections, including mask availability, air filtration, and high-quality testing, resonated with many but also attracted significant ridicule.
“Violet is a hero,” declared one supporter on Reddit. “You go girl!” Another wrote, “You are a natural-born leader and a huge inspiration to the COVID-aware community. Keep fighting for our rights.”
Conversely, critics were harsh. One detractor commented, “This girl doesn’t know WTF she’s talking about! Ignorance. So sad.” Another added, “This is what mania looks like.”