The fallout from Wednesday’s staggering CNN report alleging Aaron Rodgers voiced conspiracy theories in private exchanges regarding the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults continues.
The Jets quarterback, 40, found himself at the center of controversy once again after it was alleged he questioned the validity of the tragedy in conversations — including one with CNN’s Pamela Brown at the Kentucky Derby in 2013 — with NBA great Charles Barkley and ESPN’s Mina Kimes among those who expressed shock over the developments.
“First of all, it’s crazy and anybody who thinks that, you hope nobody ever thinks that, it’s just painful for the parents,” Barkley said on his CNN show with Gayle King, “King Charles,” “but anybody who thinks that I would think that they would be insane, I’m not going to lie, you have to be insane to think that.”
King said on the broadcast that Rodgers, 40, declined to comment.
On social media, Kimes re-shared a post from CNN’s Jake Tapper, who reported Wednesday’s story with Brown, and wrote on her X page: “Seeing reactions to this along the lines of ‘who’s surprised,’ but man…this is really galling. Far too many stupid and harmful conspiracy theories out there these days, but Sandy Hook trutherism is uniquely insidious.”
Rodgers addressed the situation Thursday in a statement on social media.
“As I’m on the record saying in the past, what happened in Sandy Hook was an absolute tragedy. I am not and have never been of the opinion that the events did not take place. Again, I hope that we learn from this and other tragedies to identify the signs that will allow us to prevent unnecessary loss of life. My thoughts and prayers continue to remain with the families affected along with the entire Sandy Hook community,” he posted on X and Instagram.
Past footage also showed Rodgers sympathetic about the massacre.
Rodgers, who was tapped as a potential vice presidential running mate for Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. this week, allegedly suggested the devastating events that occurred in Newtown, Conn., “was actually a government inside job and the media was intentionally ignoring it,” per the CNN report.
The four-time league MVP is said to have shared disproven theories with Brown — as conspiracies have circulated in recent years surrounding the tragedy — to back up his claims.
CNN also cited a second individual, who allegedly conversed with Rodgers in the past with the quarterback claiming, “Sandy Hook never happened…All those children never existed. They were all actors.”
The Jets had no comment to The Post on the CNN report and a rep for Rodgers did not respond to a message seeking comment.
The quarterback, whose first season in New York was cut short in September following an Achilles injury, has been at the center of controversy this offseason.
In January, Rodgers suggested late-night host Jimmy Kimmel could be named on a list of Jeffrey Epstein associates.
Kimmel responded by threatening potential legal action following the “reckless” allegation.
Barkley also addressed the matter in January, stating he would “have punched him [Rodgers] in the face” if he were in Kimmel’s shoes.
