When Lively initially filed her lawsuit, Johnson, an actor known for his role in High School Musical and married to Lively?s sister, Teen Witch alum Robyn Lively, took to X to voice his opinions. He wrote, ?He is a fraud. He puts on the ?costume? of a hero, man bun and all. Used all the trendy catchphrases & buzz phrases for his podcasts. None of it is genuine. It?s all an act, and everyone has fallen for it for years.? This statement sparked significant backlash and intense scrutiny.

While Johnson did not mention Baldoni by name in his post, many readers presumed he was referring to the director. He followed his statement by defending Lively in the comments section of a New York Times article discussing her lawsuit, noting, ?The cast unfollowed him for a reason,? and accusing Baldoni?s team of attempting to ?suppress her by any means necessary.? This defense resonated with Lively?s supporters but also drew further attention to Johnson?s earlier comments.

After deleting his initial post, Johnson faced questions from followers about his views. On Tuesday, one user asked, ?What?s your take now that Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds have been exposed as liars and egotistical narcissists? Why did you delete that tweet?? This prompted Johnson to reflect on the situation and consider the implications of his earlier statements.

?My comment wasn?t aimed at any specific individual. I never mentioned a name. It was directed at a certain ?type? that I find performative and insincere when they post clips showcasing themselves being ?wonderful? and even add sentimental music to amplify the moment. There?s quite a bit of that out there,? he stated, followed by a more detailed, standalone apology later.

?Anytime I?ve made an unkind remark about someone, I?ve regretted it. Thankfully, this is almost never the case, and certainly not when I?m at my best. Regardless of whether it?s true or not, if it?s my opinion, even when I?m trying to speak the truth or stand up for someone, it?s never a good thing,? he reflected. This sentiment highlights the importance of accountability in public discourse.

?Even in situations where it might ?feel? justified and right, it doesn?t make a difference. There?s a better way to handle such matters. It?s below the standards I set for myself, and I genuinely regret it. I sincerely apologize to anyone I?ve hurt or disappointed by saying something that could be perceived as mean,? he continued, emphasizing the need for constructive communication. ?I will strive to do better. If you follow me, you know it?s rare for me to criticize anyone on social media; it?s not my style.?

?You can easily find countless instances where I have uplifted, supported, encouraged, and motivated my family, friends, followers, and even strangers,? he concluded. ?That?s what I?m committed to, and that?s where I find my happiness. We all have flaws, and I am definitely a work in progress, striving to improve and be better. Sending ALL my love to ALL of you.?

Despite Johnson’s attempts to clarify his statements, some of his followers, particularly those supporting Baldoni, were not receptive.

?So you publicly critique someone on social media without knowing any of the facts, then post an egotistical ?apology? and quote Buddha? Who’s the fraud now?? one follower challenged, turning Johnson’s initial comments back on him.

?What did I say that wasn?t true? Define fraud. I didn?t do anything phony,? he retorted, emphasizing his viewpoint amidst the criticism.

?Oh please, this reeks of self-serving damage control. You rushed to judgment (which your faith strongly advises against, right?) and deliberately tarnished another?s reputation,? a follower responded. ?Like with Blake?s actions, people are seeing right through it. Grab your florals and testify, coach.? This response showcases the skepticism from the public regarding Johnson’s sincerity.

Johnson responded again, saying, ?Call it whatever you want. Let me ask again? What did I say that wasn?t true?? He then complimented the critic?s profile picture?a still from the movie Say Anything?telling them it was one of his favorites and adding, ?The 80s rule!!!?

Another critic pointed out that Johnson?s attempt to ?backtrack? was even ?worse than the original tweet.?

?You still reposted it though. Thanks for that,? Johnson replied. ?It?s the old? you can never do anything to make people happy. That?s why most people never apologize about anything. It?s always met with more criticism. Oh well. I [tried].? This response reflects his frustration with public perception and criticism.

Another individual stated they found it ?strange? that he did not include a ?direct apology? to Baldoni in his message?adding, ?Is avoiding litigation your ?jam??? This highlights the scrutiny Johnson faces over his accountability.

That comment elicited a lengthy response from Johnson.

?Now I?m gonna get sued? For what? I find these kinds of podcasts phony. I do. That?s not a crime. But I do feel bad ripping on them. That?s really all I said,? he responded. ?But? just like you and all the toxic and hateful comments I get from his followers wishing harm to me and my kids and calling me all the vile names you can imagine, it?s not a crime. People are free to do so, and I?m not angry.?

?I get it. It IS ironic, though. Definitely ironic,? he continued. ?I bet those commenters don?t feel bad for all their hate. But that?s different, right? I haven?t had one single fan of his apologize for being mean. Gotta love the irony. That?s fine. I can take the beatings. You think I deserve it? Okay, that?s fine too. Moving on. Can?t let it get me down. Keeping being me. 2025 is gonna be great!! Let?s goooooo??

On December 31, Baldoni filed a $250 million lawsuit against The New York Times for its reporting on Lively?s legal complaint, wherein she accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and claimed he, along with others, orchestrated a smear campaign against her. Lively subsequently filed a federal lawsuit of her own, reiterating the claims made in her initial complaint.

In his lawsuit, Baldoni and the other plaintiffs?including publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel?accuse the publication of libel, invasion of privacy, promissory fraud, and breach of implied-in-fact contract, asserting they ?intentionally? misled readers. The suit also accuses the paper of relying on Lively?s ?unverified and self-serving narrative,? which they claim is riddled with ?blatant falsehoods and egregious misrepresentations.?

A spokesperson for The New York Times stated in a comment to TMZ, ?Our story was meticulously and responsibly reported. It was based on a review of thousands of pages of original documents, including the text messages and emails that we quote accurately and extensively in the article. So far, Wayfarer Studios, Mr. Baldoni, the other subjects of the article, and their representatives have not pointed to a single error. We published their full statement in response to the allegations in the article as well. We plan to vigorously defend against the lawsuit.?

In a statement to The New York Post, Lively?s attorneys responded to Baldoni?s lawsuit.

?Nothing in this lawsuit changes anything regarding the claims advanced in Ms. Lively?s California Civil Rights Division Complaint, nor her federal complaint, filed earlier today,? the statement read. ?This lawsuit is based on the clearly false premise that Ms. Lively?s administrative complaint against Wayfarer and others was a ruse based on a choice ?not to file a lawsuit against Baldoni, Wayfarer,? and that ?litigation was never her end goal.??

?As demonstrated by the federal complaint filed by Ms. Lively earlier today, that frame of reference for the Wayfarer lawsuit is false,? they added. ?While we cannot litigate this matter in the press, we do encourage people to read Ms. Lively?s complaint in its entirety. We look forward to addressing each one of Wayfarer?s allegations in court.?