MAGA melts down over Betty Boop adaptation - BERITAJA

Actress and Abbott Elementary creator Quinta Brunson is facing a activity of backlash from MAGA commentators aft being formed arsenic Betty Boop successful a caller live-action movie presently successful development. Critics connected the correct quickly accused Hollywood of “race swapping” the iconic character, reigniting online civilization warfare debates already inflamed by caller casting controversies. The project, announced by Variety on Wednesday, May 20, is being developed successful collaboration pinch Mark Fleischer, grandson of Betty Boop creator Max Fleischer. The upcoming movie marks Betty Boop’s first starring theatrical quality since the 1930s.

MAGA erupts aft Betty Boop casting announcement

People declare the movie won’t beryllium a occurrence pinch Quinta Brunson. Unsplash

Conservative commentators flooded societal media platforms pinch complaints soon aft the movie was announced. The backlash followed akin outrage complete the casting of Lupita Nyong’o arsenic Helen of Troy successful Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. Commentator Matt Walsh wrote connected X, “There is only 1 logic to bring backmost an iconic portion of Americana conscionable to title switch it for illustration this.” He continued, “Even a religious Betty Boop reboot about apt wouldn’t waste galore tickets. A race-swapped Betty Boop has perfectly nary chance of success. But they do it anyhow retired of spite. They aren’t moreover trying to make money. It’s conscionable axenic resentment.” Other users accused Hollywood of “wokewashing” and demanded studios “STOP replacing WHITE people.” Some trolls began posting images of what they described arsenic “the existent Betty Boop” nether Quinta’s societal media posts.

There is only 1 logic to bring backmost an iconic portion of Americana conscionable to title switch it for illustration this. Even a religious Betty Boop reboot about apt wouldn’t waste galore tickets. A title swapped Betty Boop has perfectly nary chance of success. But they do it anyhow retired of spite. They… https://t.co/R0V0hEodhm

— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) May 20, 2026

@quintabrunson
This is the REAL Betty Boop, she's WHITE!https://t.co/yaTDIQ6VY7

— Matthew Conner (@MLC3126) May 21, 2026

🚨 Hollywood conscionable made Betty Boop BLACK.

Quinta Brunson has been formed to play the iconic (and usually white) characteristic Betty Boop.

❓️: Do you support this, aliases should Hollywood STOP changing the title of well-known characters? pic.twitter.com/PPAdDo6UTS

— Lewis Miles (@Maga4liberty) May 21, 2026

Betty Boop was reportedly inspired by a Black jazz performer

Betty Boop’s sound and signature “Boop-oop-a-doop” catchphrase were reportedly heavy inspired by Baby Esther, a Black jazz performer. BY: YouTube/Fleischer Studios

The MAGA backlash overlooked longstanding debates surrounding the origins of Betty Boop herself. While the animated characteristic was portrayed arsenic fair-skinned, reports cited by The New York Times during a 1934 tribunal lawsuit noted that Betty Boop’s sound and signature “Boop-oop-a-doop” catchphrase were heavy inspired by Baby Esther, a Black jazz performer astatine Harlem’s Cotton Club during the 1920s.

Created by Max successful 1930, Betty Boop appeared successful much than 100 cartoons and became 1 of the defining animated figures of the Jazz Age. The characteristic evolved from a poodle-like nightclub vocalist into a afloat quality animation personage and later became a awesome licensing marque crossed fashion, beauty and entertainment.

Brunson and Fleischer take sides the project

Brunson said the movie would research a deeper communicative down the characteristic and her creator. BY: MEGA

Quinta said the movie would research a deeper communicative down the characteristic and her creator. “Betty Boop is 1 of our nation’s about beloved animation characters, yet someway still remains pleasantly niche,” the starlet said successful a statement. “She has had a quiet but undeniable effect connected civilization for about a century.” She added that aft gathering pinch Mark and learning much about Max’s imaginative process, “I realized location was a overmuch deeper communicative to tell. One that could beryllium explored successful a measurement that feels refreshing, subversive, and timeless, overmuch for illustration Betty herself.”

Mark powerfully backed Quinta’s involvement. “When Quinta first approached maine pinch the unsocial conception of a movie about the narration of my grandfather, Max Fleischer, and his creation, Betty Boop, I was breathtaken,” he said.

Supporters praise casting amid controversy

Some societal media users defended Brunson’s casting and based on the disapproval was racially motivated. BY: MEGA

Not each reactions were negative, however. Some societal media users defended Quinta’s casting and based on the disapproval was racially motivated. One protagonist wrote connected X, “Keep your dumba** racist sermon to yourself. Quinta is perfectly a cleanable casting prime for Betty Boop.”

The task arrives arsenic Quinta continues her award-winning tally connected Abbott Elementary. She became the first solo Black female to triumph the Emmy for outstanding penning successful a drama bid and later became the first Black female since 1981 to triumph outstanding lead character successful a drama series. Quinta’s accumulation company, Fifth Chance Productions, is partnering pinch Fleischer Studios connected the film, which will analyse the narration betwixt Max and the animated icon he created arsenic Betty Boop grew into 1 of the about recognizable animation characters successful animation history.