Keke Palmer faces backlash online after tweeting about using food stamps for ‘healthy items only’

Keke Palmer faces backlash online after tweeting about using food stamps for ‘healthy items only’ to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris

Keke Palmer found herself in some hot water online after tweeting about food stamp regulations in a since deleted exchange which she then reformatted in a question to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.

The 27-year-old initially posed the question: ‘Imagine if your EBT card could only work on healthy items’ before an onslaught of information came her way.

Government assistance is a regular conservative talking point, and users were quick to point out that low income recipients rarely have similar access to foods and shouldn’t have to further budget small, federally provided amounts. 

Whoops: Keke Palmer found herself in some hot water online after tweeting about food stamp regulations in a since deleted exchange which she then reformatted in a question to Vice President-elect Kamala Harris; seen in August

Talk about it: Government assistance is a regular talking point of the conservative party, and users were quick to point out that low income recipients rarely have similar access to foods and shouldn't have to further budget small, federally provided amounts

Talk about it: Government assistance is a regular talking point of the conservative party, and users were quick to point out that low income recipients rarely have similar access to foods and shouldn’t have to further budget small, federally provided amounts

After deleting her initial tweet, she reached out to the new Vice President-elect with another question. 

‘Hey @KamalaHarris, I know you just started but me and my friends were talking about it and we think EBT cards should swipe free on all items considered HEALTHY. Xoxo,’ she wrote.

When users noted the multitude of problems in suggesting what the government allows low income individuals to purchase, Keke attempted to ‘clarify’ her words. 

More info: After deleting her initial tweet, she reached out to the new Vice President-elect with another question

More info: After deleting her initial tweet, she reached out to the new Vice President-elect with another question

Not great: When users noted the multitude of problems in suggesting what the government allows low income individuals to purchase, Keke attempted to 'clarify' her words

Not great: When users noted the multitude of problems in suggesting what the government allows low income individuals to purchase, Keke attempted to ‘clarify’ her words

‘To clarify my tweet was pertaining to issues w/ healthy foods being 2 expensive & thinking it should be free for those w/ EBT cards,’ Keke wrote. ‘This was not a suggestion for solving all low income issues. Solely a hopeful solution 4 those with EBT that want to run it up w/ meat & produce.’

‘The first issue that needs to be addressed is the lack of access to these healthier foods in poor communities and communities of color,’ @lailaaxmarie wrote. ‘Your original idea of EBT only working on “healthy” foods completely overlooks this.’

‘But you didn’t say that…sometimes its better to not backpeddle and hold your hands up and say i was wrong and insensitive and the issue is more complicated than i thought,’ @loudnajiagirl wrote. 

'But you didn't say that...sometimes its better to not backpeddle and hold your hands up and say i was wrong and insensitive and the issue is more complicated than i thought,' @loudnajiagirl wrote.

‘But you didn’t say that…sometimes its better to not backpeddle and hold your hands up and say i was wrong and insensitive and the issue is more complicated than i thought,’ @loudnajiagirl wrote.

'The first issue that needs to be addressed is the lack of access to these healthier foods in poor communities and communities of color,' @lailaaxmarie wrote

‘The first issue that needs to be addressed is the lack of access to these healthier foods in poor communities and communities of color,’ @lailaaxmarie wrote

Easy as that: User @OlonzoTheGoat simply stated: 'Cause you basically said EBT should only work for healthy foods that's what I heard.'

Easy as that: User @OlonzoTheGoat simply stated: ‘Cause you basically said EBT should only work for healthy foods that’s what I heard.’

'Yeah, I feel like she made it sound like poor people just make bad food choices, which is a bad take,' @nosilaurustv wrote

‘Yeah, I feel like she made it sound like poor people just make bad food choices, which is a bad take,’ @nosilaurustv wrote

Despite deleting the tweet shortly after posting, she spent hours online defending what she was trying to say with the thoughtless statement. 

Another user (@OlonzoTheGoat) simply stated: ‘Cause you basically said EBT should only work for healthy foods that’s what I heard.’

‘Yeah, I feel like she made it sound like poor people just make bad food choices, which is a bad take,’ @nosilaurustv wrote. ‘If that’s not what she meant then fine, but she should consider the influence she has instead of whining that people didn’t like what she said SOLELY because she’s a celebrity.’

Keke most recently hosted the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards, and found fame starring in Barbershop 2: Back in Business and Akeelah and the Bee.

Star power: Keke most recently hosted the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards, and found fame starring in Barbershop 2: Back in Business and Akeelah and the Bee

Star power: Keke most recently hosted the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards, and found fame starring in Barbershop 2: Back in Business and Akeelah and the Bee