John Cleese defended J.K. Rowling again and the internet had some thoughts

Monty Python star John Cleese may have a loyal following, but his latest internet move has fans turning on him faster than a hotel guest checking into Fawlty Towers.Earlier this year the 81-year-old turned heads when he defended Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling on Twitter following her controversial comments about transgender people, which have since led to her “cancellation” by some on the social media platform. “Dear Twits, I have added my name to the signatories of the letter in solidarity with JKRowling,” Cleese wrote back in Septebmer. “Proud to be in the distinguished company of Ian McEwan, Andrew Davies, Frances, Welch, Lionel Shriver, Ben Miller, Tom Stoppard, Frances Barber, Griff Rhys-Jones and Matthew d’Ancona.”Although fans took Cleese to task back then, it seems as though this is a hill he’s ready to die on. Because he returned to Twitter over the weekend to continue defending his stance, resulting in fans coming at him again. His name even began trending as a result.[video_embed id='1973112']RELATED: J.K. Rowling under fire for anti-trans tweets[/video_embed]It all started when one user retweeted his earlier comments and asked him to clarify. Before long Cleese was on a tear, retweeting comments and adding his own hot takes that offended more than a few people. At one point a user asked him why he can’t just “let people be who they want to be.” Cleese retorted, “Deep down, I want to be a Cambodian police woman. Is that allowed, or am I being unrealistic ?”

Deep down, I want to be a Cambodian police woman

Is that allowed, or am I being unrealistic ? https://t.co/oGPwEWJM9a— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) November 22, 2020

The comments didn’t stop there though, and Cleese dug himself deeper and deeper, despite claiming that he just isn’t “that interested in trans folks.” The following chain, which is a lot to unpack, may prove otherwise…

I'm afraid I'm not that interested in trans folks

I just hope they're happy and that people treat them kindlyRight now I'm more focussed on threats to democracy in America, the rampant corruption in the UK, the appalling British Press, the revelations about police brutality... https://t.co/y6l33FBQNL— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) November 22, 2020

Yes, my understanding is superficial

One thing: When a woman who was once a man is competing against women who have always been women, I think she has an advantage, because she inherited a man's body, which is usually bigger and stronger than a woman'sDoes that prove phobia? https://t.co/8x2H9zvstd— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) November 22, 2020

Yes, and torturing small animals and setting fire to babies

Are you psychic ? https://t.co/lMAn4U6cht— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) November 22, 2020

Do you have any respect left for Stoppard, McEwan or Frances Barber ? https://t.co/fmj7xuOSOR

— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) November 22, 2020

If you can't control your own emotions, you're forced to control other people's behaviour

That's why the touchiest, most oversensitive and easily upset must not set the standard for the rest of us https://t.co/bAX5zT0ja7— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) November 22, 2020

That depends who I identify with today... https://t.co/TXKLbPlPyR

— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) November 22, 2020

Congratulations on being impeccable

I can never manage it https://t.co/RFOLkewx49— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) November 22, 2020

Oh I do sympathy and support all the time, for most of the Third world. Except for Glasgow, of course

I exclude all wokes, of course. I hope they fry in their own sanctimoniousness and narcissistic posturingUntil they get a sense of perspective, that is... https://t.co/yfzfWDx7Az— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) November 22, 2020

It's the complete lack of perspective that bothers me

Of course, that goes with a complete lack of a sense of humourHeard a woke joke yet ? https://t.co/97Au5WjuGT— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) November 22, 2020

Woke joke

A production of 'Macbeth' may cancelled because the man playing the lead revealed that he had never actually killed anyoneConvicted murderers are now being soughtOtherwise they will have to stage Chekhov's Three Sisters, who will be Inuit, Thai and Samoan— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) November 22, 2020

The comments were enough to grab the attention of Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness, who jumped online to make his own statements about the views jamming up people’s feeds. “Try being a trans, non binary, or gender non conforming person especially Black & Brown ones ALONE in a rural town or ANYWHERE in the world,” he wrote. “The @jk_rowling & @JohnCleese of the world could never. So cruel to constantly punch down onto a marginalized group of people.”

Instead of worrying about American democracy worry about the transphobia gripping the UK. Worry about the staggering inequality your country faces & keep LGBTQ issues out of your chapped ass lip having mouth unless you due to some miracle become an ally.

— Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn) November 22, 2020

Trans & Non-Binary people have existed for thousands of years. We have defied societal expectations & found a way to survive through literally all of time. ??We keep fighting for equality.

— Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn) November 23, 2020

So far at time of press, Cleese hasn’t responded to Van Ness. Instead he pivoted on November 23 to another string of tweets, this time about American politics and the upcoming January 20 presidential transition from Donald Trump to Joe Biden. Meanwhile, the fact that Cleese has so much time to spend on social media may be impressive to some. In addition to just releasing a new book, Creativity, the actor has half a dozen film projects in the works.Time will tell how many lingering fans will actually book time to go and see them.[video_embed id='2045312']Before you go: Eddie Redmayne calls out ‘vitriol’ aimed at J.K. Rowling[/video_embed]