James Hunter Apologizes To Melania Trump: Promises To Remove 'YouTube Video Speculating Barron Trump Has Autism' [VIDEO]
James Hunter, the YouTuber who faced a lawsuit threat from Melania Trump over a controversial video speculating her son Barron could be autistic has deleted the clip. He created the video in an effort to stop people from bullying the ten-year-old Barron Trump online.
According to Mail Online, Hunter announced his apology and retraction after being contacted by Melania's lawyer Attorney Charles J. Harder. He asked for the video to be removed as it falsely claims Barron is autistic. Harder said the video is a form of harassment and bullying. The legal letter states that Barron is not autistic and also calls out Rosie O'Donnell as a bully.
The YouTube video had more than 3.2 million views when news of the potential suit broke on Monday. The channel that hosts the seven minutes video also contains a 16 seconds clip of Barron Trump clapping erratically at the Republican National Convention.
According to Hollywood Reporter, Hunter said he did not intend to cause any hurt to the Trump family, instead he wanted to raise the profile of the autism epidemic. Hunter, who is also on the autism spectrum, wanted to highlight the issue, however, Trump and his wife Melania threatened to sue Hunter claiming the youngster is not autistic.
"I am honestly kinda scared right now. The only reason I made the video is because I saw how much social media was bullying Barron and I wanted it to stop," Hunter said, "I would be really sad if I have made the situation worse but I never could have imagined that the video would get so much press."
He stated that he was in contact with Melania's lawyer and later removed the videos, replacing them with a new one that apologizes and retracts the statements made in the first. Hunter's video blew last week when O'Donnell tweeted about it on Nov. 21.
O'Donnell subsequently explained on her website that her own daughter was diagnosed with Autism in September, and she only sharing the video as a means of spreading awareness. She also said that she has no ill will for Trump's children or any children and it had nothing to do with her old foe Donald Trump, insisting that her post was 'from the heart'.
Harder said: "this video includes Hashtag 'StopTheBullying', but yet the video itself is bullying as it makes false statements and speculation about young Barron for the purpose of harassing Barron and his parents." He added that online bullying of children, including Barron Trump, must end now."