Many social media users appeared touched by the gesture, but others decried it as « performative » and « gross. »
Sean Penn loaned one of his Oscars to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday in a show of solidarity amid the country’s conflict with Russia. Many fans have applauded the award-winning actor for the gesture, but others have slammed the move as « performative. »
Anton Gerashchenko, adviser to the minister of internal affairs of Ukraine, praised Penn in a social media post Tuesday.
« Sean Penn has given his Oscar to Ukraine – @ZelenskyyUa, » he wrote in a tweet. « Thank you, sir! It is an honor for us. »
Scores of social media users responded favorably to the exchange, with one person calling it a « gift from the heart. »
« Albeit symbolic, how many of us would donate something this precious to a noble cause? Good on you, Sean! Good on you! » user @StanleyPrusins1 tweeted.
