Ellen DeGeneres is facing significant criticism on Twitter following her interview with Kevin Hart, where she defended him against backlash over past homophobic comments and expressed her desire for him to host the Oscars. DeGeneres, who is openly gay, labeled those criticizing Hart as “haters” and “trolls,” emphasizing his apologies and growth since making those remarks.

After the interview aired, Twitter exploded with users accusing DeGeneres of prioritizing her friendship with Hart over supporting the LGBTQ community. Many felt she gave him a pass without holding him accountable for his past remarks, which resurfaced and caused him to step down from hosting the Oscars.

Critics argued that DeGeneres’ stance was inappropriate, especially since Hart’s comments targeted gay African-American men, a group DeGeneres doesn’t directly represent. Some voiced disappointment that DeGeneres didn’t challenge Hart more on his statements during the interview.

Despite the backlash, there were supporters who praised DeGeneres for promoting forgiveness and believed Hart’s remorse was genuine. They commended her for facilitating an open and honest conversation about his past remarks and their consequences.

The controversy erupted when decade-old tweets from Hart containing homophobic language resurfaced, prompting widespread condemnation and his initial withdrawal from hosting the Oscars.