Mel Gibson has found himself at the center of a social media storm after sharing a conspiracy theory about the Los Angeles wildfires during a live TV appearance. The actor’s comments came just days after his own Malibu mansion was destroyed in the blaze.

Gibson, 69, revealed the loss of his home on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, before elaborating on the experience during an interview on Elizabeth Vargas Reports on NewsNation. The actor described receiving news of the fire while in Austin, Texas, and the subsequent loss of his multi-million dollar property as “devastating” and “emotional.”

Gibson’s emotional account of the event, however, took a surprising turn when he began to discuss a conspiracy theory surrounding the wildfires. His comments sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many users slamming the actor for spreading “insane” and unsubstantiated claims.

The backlash against Gibson highlights the dangers of spreading misinformation, particularly during times of crisis. As the people of Los Angeles continue to rebuild and recover from the devastating wildfires, it’s essential that public figures like Gibson use their platforms responsibly and avoid perpetuating harmful conspiracy theories.