Martha Stewart is once again drawing criticism, this time for posting a lavish assortment of free baked goods on Instagram, a move that some perceived as tone-deaf following her controversial Halloween costume.
Hours after facing backlash for dressing as a homeless person for Halloween, Stewart, 85, shared photos of pastries and breads she received from the new Altbau bakery in Brooklyn. She described the items as "Sooooo good!!!" in her Instagram post.
This latest social media post quickly ignited a fresh wave of online commentary. One follower commented, “’Let them eat cake,’ amirite?” referencing the infamous phrase associated with a disconnect from the struggles of ordinary people. Another user questioned, “Guess she’s not hungry anymore?” alluding to Stewart's Halloween costume which featured a sign reading "I am hungry. Help me!!"
Others suggested Stewart could use the food to help those in need, with one user posting, “Maybe you could deliver that bread to hungry people???” and another adding, “Take those pastries out to the streets and feed the hungry humans in need of food.”
However, some supporters defended Stewart, with one commenter writing, “WE LOVE YOU, MARTHA! Ignore the cancel culture.” Another user urged people to move on, stating, “She’s addressed the pic twice. Move on people.”
The controversy follows Stewart's initial social media post on Sunday where she shared a photo of herself in a costume that included ripped clothing and dirt on her face. The lifestyle guru later deleted the image after it sparked outrage.
Stewart initially stated she was “distressed” by the reaction, explaining that her intention was to raise awareness about homelessness, a cause she supports through various charities. She added, “Homelessness continues to remain one of America’s greatest challenges and ongoing crises, something that I care deeply about and I have spent a significant amount of time and effort supporting charities that combat this ongoing social epidemic.”
However, in a subsequent post, Stewart issued a more direct apology. "It’s hard to admit when you’ve really screwed up," she wrote. "My earlier statement didn't go far enough. Wearing a costume like I did was insensitive and not funny. I am very sorry."