Robert Irwin’s followers have descended into a vicious feud in the wildlife warrior’s social media comments over his latest move which has drastically divided fans.
Robert Irwin threatens to sue One Nation leader Pauline Hanson for defamation, following the latest episode of Hanson’s ‘Please Explain’ cartoon series.
“It’s going to be interesting to see what the next step is in this legal process,” Sky News host Rita Panahi said.
“He’s not even the subject of the mockery here.
“In my opinion, it’s obviously satire – so are we going to censor satire?”
On Tuesday, Irwin posted a heartwarming tribute to his father Steve Irwin to Instagram, in which he thanked the ‘Crocodile Hunter’ for being the “biggest inspiration” in his life.
The positive message was lost when critics used the comment section to share their thoughts on his row with Ms Hanson.
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“Leave Pauline alone please,” one user said, which was met with backlash from some of Irwin’s supporters, with one suggesting the Senator needed to face the “consequences”.
The first commenter responded, “He has no case. There’s no consequences to speak of”.
Another response on the thread said, “She should leave Robert Alone! She started it.”
An earlier post from Monday featuring a photo of Irwin and the family’s pet pug Stella had a stream of comments on the matter, with fans once again divided.
Both critics and fans have taken to Irwin’s social media comments to share their thoughts on the Hanson saga. Picture: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Endometriosis Foundation of America.
“Don’t let Hanson use your image. No one will have an issue if you sue her. Her response yesterday about Steve was a low blow and not called for,” one user encouraged.
Meanwhile another told him, “lighten up on that lawsuit lol.. cartoon was funny”.
Ms Hanson’s cartoon episode titled ‘The State of Queensland’ depicted a satirised Irwin along with popular cartoon dog Bluey and aimed to highlight political issues in Queensland such as the youth crime and rental crisis.
The production team of the series, Stepmates Studios, was sent a cease and desist letter by FC Lawyers on behalf of Irwin just hours after the episode aired on Friday.
The lawyers threatened to apply for an injunction and to commence defamation proceedings if the cartoon was not taken down by 5pm on Monday.
Ms Hanson fired back at Irwin, confirming on Monday morning she did not intend on taking the episode down and urging Irwin to “lighten up a bit”.
“This episode highlighted the struggles many Queenslanders are facing due to the serious failures of the Miles Labor state government. We won’t let that message be shut down,” she said in an X post.