https://twitter.com/ZacEfron/status/689283451241889792
That Awkward Moment. Zac Efron posted a controversial tweet about MLK Day on the date of the holiday honoring the late civil rights movement leader, Monday, January 18.
“I’m grateful for a couple things today,” Efron, 28, tweeted alongside a pic of himself sporting aviators and cruising down a palm tree-lined street at dusk. “Martin Luther King Jr & 10 million followers on IG.”
Efron added two emojis of a darker toned pointer finger and fist sign, hashtagging his update with “#MLKDay.” Immediately, the Internet called out the High School Musical alum’s post with reactions and memes.
.@ZacEfron https://t.co/PvvdXOmp6g
— James Santelli (@JamesSantelli) January 19, 2016
@ZacEfron honey, you don’t put this is one tweet… That’s some hella good pic tho
— soroitity. (@eggzactlyy) January 19, 2016
@ZacEfron This is one of the most offensive/diminishing/disrespectful things anyone has said in relation to MLK today. Get over yourself.
— Aaron Horwitz (@AaronTheH) January 19, 2016
@ZacEfron Zac I ❤️ you, but whichever social media manager told you gaining 10 mil followers and MLK’s work are in the same vein, fire them.
— Baewatching… (@EfronEvermore) January 19, 2016
.@ZacEfron delete your account
— Moral Turpitude (@turpin4prez) January 19, 2016
.@ZacEfron pic.twitter.com/8UmfbEPc60
— anthony smith (@anthny) January 19, 2016
Others were upset that Efron didn’t partake in the HSM reunion alongside his fellow Disney alums Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale.
@ZacEfron pic.twitter.com/9Nc7rtsih4
— meg? (@megtheflop) January 19, 2016
@ZacEfron i would be grateful if u showed up to the hsm reunion
— vy (@stumphied) January 19, 2016
@ZacEfron don’t run from the hsm reunion troy
— justine (@cihaim) January 19, 2016
The Neighbors star has yet to take down the tweet.