John Schneider Slammed for Seeking 'Sympathy' After Biden 'Threat'

John Schneider has been accused of "trying to drum up sympathy" with an emotional post dedicated to his late wife, amid furor over his statement that President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, should be hanged.

Hours after he was unveiled as the Donut on Fox reality show The Masked Singer on Wednesday, Schneider, 63, fanned the flames of controversy when he posted a since-deleted response to Joe Biden's comments about former President Donald Trump on X, formerly Twitter.

"Trump poses many threats to our country: The right to choose, civil rights, voting rights, and America's standing in the world," the president stated. "But the greatest threat he poses is to our democracy. If we lose that, we lose everything."

Responding to the post, Schneider wrote: "Mr. President, I believe you are guilty of treason and should be publicly hung. Your son too. Your response is..? Sincerely, John Schneider."

Amid a widespread backlash—and reports of the Secret Service opening a probe into his comments—Schneider sought to play down the severity of his post.

"Seriously, folks? This is my final comment on this," he told Newsweek in a statement. "I neither said nor implied any such thing. Despite headlines claiming otherwise, in my post, I absolutely did not call for an act of violence or threaten a U.S. president as many other celebrities have done in the past. I suggest you re-read my actual post and pay attention to the words before believing this nonsense."

"It's my position, which I am entitled to have, that some of our nation's leaders in Washington have lost their way, and corruption runs rampant, both on our nation's borders and abroad," he went on. "Transparency and accountability must happen in order for our constitutional republic to survive. There is no threat implied or otherwise in that statement."

However, Schneider continued to face backlash on Thursday, when he shared an Instagram post about the grief of losing his wife Alicia Allain, who passed away at the age of 53 on February 21 following a breast cancer diagnosis.

Schneider, who is best known for his role as Beauregard "Bo" Duke in classic action-comedy series The Dukes of Hazzard, shared a photo of himself kneeling on a stage as he wrapped his arms tightly around a guitar.

In a lengthy accompanying caption, Schneider wrote: "Ten months... Today. Congratulations. Remember when we didn't think we'd make it? Remember when we didn't want to? Well... We're here. Ten months."

After writing about the idea of lost loved ones being greeted in heaven by those who had passed on before them, he continued: "They are better in heaven than they were here on their beat day. We can count on that. We can rejoice in that knowledge. Today I will stop worrying about how Alicia is... And start being more concerned about how I am. She is fine. They in heaven are fine."

"Truth be known... We'll be fine too," he added. "Not because of our individual strength... But because of our collective strength. We've got this... Together."

His post was met with a wave of criticism from detractors, one of whom wrote: "Such a gross post to make. Trying to drum up sympathy after you threatened to murder the President and his son."

"Sorry for your loss but it does not excuse what you said about our president," said another. "You meant what you said or you wouldn't have been so quick to delete your entire account. Anyone who puts out a hit on ANY political figure should be prosecuted. Remember you lost your wife and Biden lost his son.

"Have a bit more compassion for others. You can't be a part of the solution if you're the problem. Fix yourself. Really disappointed in your words. I have admired you since Dukes of Hazzard and signed a petition to get it back on air."

Another said that they "hate the extreme left as much as I do the extreme right. Apparently you have fallen into one of those categories. It kills me because you played such a huge part in my upbringing. Now look at you. I'm ashamed to have once admired you."

"I'd love to send you my thoughts and prayers but it's really really hard to do that when you want the president of the United States and his son executed in the Town square," another chimed in. "Seriously it's really hard for me because somehow in my skewed view of things it's not really a Christian value."

"Damn John," said another. "Me sobbing watching you on The Masked Singer. A few hours later you are telling the world President Biden should hang! WTF. You need help."

While Schneider's post attracted criticism, he also had a number of fans sharing their words of support in the comments.

"Everybody crying about what he says about Biden, where was your anger when Kathy Griffin held a severed mannequin head resembling Trump?" one asked. "Schneider didn't threaten, threats are declarations of intent to do harm. He didn't do that."

"Praying for you and ignore the crazy liberals here" another advised. "Bunch of hypocrites!! Listened to them for four years threatening violence, burning things down."

Addressing Schneider's grief over his wife's death, one fan wrote: "You've got this!! Grieving is a journey and God will not let your soul break. The journey is long but you learn so much!! Hugs as always!!"

"My thoughts, love and prayers are with you," another commented. "I feel your pain."

"Aww, I'll be praying for you John," said another. "Merry Christmas, May God bless you and keep you."

Schneider, who competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2018, has publicly criticized President Biden in the past. In 2022, he hit out at the Democrat for not saying "Jesus" in his Christmas speech.

"This man has got to face his maker and explain why he can't say 'Jesus Christ' is my Lord and savior and I will run my country under his guidelines," he said during a Newsmax interview at the time.