Mel Gibson has detailed his ‘insane’ conspiracy theory about the Los Angeles wildfires after losing his home, and audiences are highly critical.
The 69-year-old Mad Max actor is one of many celebs who have had to watch their home burn down in the blaze which broke out last Tuesday (7 January).
Last week, Gibson opened up about the ‘devastating’ loss, which took place while he was filming an appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast.
He told Newsweek, via the BBC: “It’s kind of devastating. It’s emotional.
“I was doing the Rogan podcast… And [I was] kind of ill at ease while we were talking, because I knew my neighbourhood was on fire, so I thought, ‘I wonder if my place is still there’.
“When I got home, sure enough, it wasn’t there. I went home and I said to myself, ‘well, at least I haven’t got any of those pesky plumbing problems anymore’.”
Reflecting on special possessions he had lost, Gibson said: “I had a lot of personal things there that, you know, I can’t get back…”
However, in a recent interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham for ‘The Ingraham Angle’, the father-of-nine surprised viewers by coming out with a conspiracy theory that the fires were started ‘on purpose’.
In a theory he himself dubbed ‘insane’, he told the broadcaster: “I know they were messing with the water, letting reserves go for one reason or another. They’ve been doing that a while.
“California has a lot of problems that sort of baffle the mind as far as why they do things.”
Gibson then began asking questions about to the theory, adding: “Is it on purpose? Do they want the state empty?”
However, the Academy Award winner appeared to have full knowledge of the bizarrely of his postulation, adding: “I can make all kinds of horrible theories up in my head, conspiracy theories and everything else, but it just seemed a little convenient that there was no water.
“And that the wind conditions were right and that there are people ready and willing and able to start fires. And are they commissioned to do so or acting on their own volition? I don’t know.
“But they seem pretty well equipped, these people that they are catching.”
Naturally, Gibson’s remarks have caused quite a stir online, with one social media user slamming the star for sharing this theory on live television, VT reports.
“Conspiracy theories are his last claims to fame,” one penned on Twitter, while someone else said: “Shameful.”
Another said: “Mel Gibson drops LA conspiracy live on Fox News. INSANE.”
And a fourth wrote that they’ll ‘never watch another movie with him in it’.
LADbible Group has previously contacted Mel Gibson’s representatives for comment.