Richard and Robert Dupont, former employees of Martha Stewart and once fixtures in the Andy Warhol scene, have spoken out in defense of the domestic mogul after she faced backlash for a Halloween costume that mocked the homeless. The brothers stated that Stewart has a history of charitable actions and intended no harm with her controversial post.
Richard Dupont, who worked with Stewart in the 1970s at her original catering company, recalled her consistent efforts to help those in need. "I remember going quite often with her, catering events in the city, and she'd always drop off leftover food [to the homeless] — always!" Richard told Page Six. "We all followed her lead."
Robert Dupont took to Instagram to further defend Stewart, stating that he had firsthand knowledge of her empathy for the unhoused community in New York City. He wrote that after every catering event they worked together, Stewart made it a point to pack up high-quality surplus food. The brothers recounted distributing these meals to the Bowery in downtown Manhattan.
Stewart ignited controversy when she shared a Halloween photo of herself dressed as a homeless person holding a sign that read, "I AM HUNGRY HELP ME!!" The post, which also promoted QVC candles, was quickly deleted after widespread criticism. Stewart initially claimed the costume was meant to raise awareness about homelessness, but later issued an apology, admitting, "I know many people are suffering economically. Wearing a costume like I did was insensitive and not funny. I am very sorry."
The Dupont twins maintain that Stewart "meant no harm" with her costume choice, emphasizing her long-standing history of kindness and support for the less fortunate.