Gayle King is not dodging the heat over her Blue Origin mission—she is owning it. In a post-flight interview with Extra, the veteran anchor acknowledged once questioning space exploration herself, admitting she was among those people too. But after witnessing it firsthand, her perspective changed. She emphasized that the mission sparked reflection, not extravagance. “Why are we spending so much money on space?” she once asked—but now, she urges critics, "I wish people would do more due diligence." Still, some fans are calling it “tone deaf.”

Gayle King responded to the critics by emphasizing the importance of understanding Blue Origin's mission. She explained that her perspective changed once she learned how the company aims to use space technology to address issues on Earth, such as waste management. King highlighted that space innovations already contribute to things like GPS. While fans have been calling her out for being insensitive, she encouraged critics to educate themselves and visit Blue Origin before dismissing the efforts as pointless. Despite her explanation, the backlash remains immense and fans are still not on board with the idea. 

Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket, an autonomous vehicle, soared beyond 62 miles into space, crossing the widely accepted boundary. The mission, part of Blue Origin's space tourism venture, offers passengers a few minutes of weightlessness and breathtaking views of Earth. While Gayle King admitted the flight is costly, she suggested that with enough demand, the price could decrease. However, the backlash against the flight has been overwhelming, with many criticizing the extravagant nature of the mission.

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The mission has fueled intense criticism, with fans vehemently condemning Gayle King, dismissing any justifications she presents, and pledging to disregard anything she asserts.

While it is not only fans but celebrities as well, many have voiced their skepticism, questioning the mission’s relevance amidst global challenges. Gayle King attempted to address the growing criticism before too, and found herself under intense scrutiny. On X, fans wasted no time calling her out, accusing her of setting a negative example for young girls and arguing that the real astronauts, not public figures like King, should be the ones receiving the praise and attention.

Fans have been far from gentle in expressing their views, highlighting that the mission's price was steep, not only financially but also in terms of its environmental impact.

What Gayle King may have anticipated as an inspiring moment has instead boomeranged, triggering a storm of backlash. Fans on X have relentlessly criticized her, slamming the mission not just for its environmental toll on Earth, but for promoting the careless idea of spreading waste beyond our planet. As monumental as the mission was intended to be, the outrage it unleashed has proven just as colossal, leaving King engulfed in digital fury.

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What do you think of Gayle King's response to the backlash? Let us know in the comments below.