Justin Bieber’s dad, Jeremy Bieber, tried to clarify his offensive comments about the LGBTQIA+ community — but just made things worse.
“Well I didn’t expect to be thrown into this political arena, but I’m being forced in,” he tweeted Friday morning, “Insensitive perhaps but a bigot I am not! #buckleup #truths.”
Jeremy said that his earlier tweets about celebrating families were “to acknowledge families, that’s it!” He also shot down claims that he abandoned the “Peaches” singer, 29.
“And before you say I abandoned my son, move on! that’s an old narrative pushed! its [sic] ridiculous and didn’t happen,” he wrote. “Now my delivery may have been poor but it was not to be hateful or homophobic…”
The 48-year-old noted that he adores his brother, who “is gay.”
“Love whomever you want that’s your business not ‘mine’ my problem is the hostile takeover of our cities and schools by LGBTQ this is the concern of many,” he continued.
“There is a place for everyone, and everyone’s opinion! That does not equal hate!”
Earlier this week, Jeremy made headlines when he tweeted a homophobic meme featuring a rainbow flag with the sarcastic caption, “Don’t forget to thank a straight person this month for your existence.”
He also urged his followers to “celebrate families” because the “things this generation glorifies is unbelievable!”
Social media users slammed the father of four for spewing hate against the LGBTQIA+ community on the platform.
“says the man who abandoned his child and only came back bc he became famous.. that’s how you celebrate family?” tweeted one person.
“lol why would anyone listen to you on the subject of families??” added another.
A third fan tweeted, “To be honest I think a person who abandoned his son and only came back to his life once he was millionaire is waaay worse.”
After the mounting criticism, Jeremy took to Twitter to offer a weak apology for his remarks.
“Acknowledging the nuclear family is offensive? My apologies to those offended. Was not my intent. Not that my opinion matters,” he tweeted Wednesday.
Jeremy and the “Baby” crooner have had a complicated relationship throughout the years.
The carpenter was not present during Justin’s childhood, and the pop star’s mom, Pattie Mallette, raised him alone.
However, the Grammy winner and his father have mended their relationship and Justin has grown close with his three half-siblings.
While Justin — who married Hailey Bieber in 2018 — has not commented on Jeremy’s recent comments, the “Yummy” singer has also not outwardly shared his support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
In 2011, he did, however, respond to a question about homosexuality during an interview with Rolling Stone.
“It’s everyone’s own decision to do that,” he said at the time. “It doesn’t affect me and shouldn’t affect anyone else.”
