One of the 2000s’ most famous couples was Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, whose teenage daughter, Violet, recently became an official presenter at the United Nations.
Although the two actors are still divorced, their names are in the headlines for a different reason, as their eldest child recently took the stand at one of this year’s United Nations meetings in the NYC headquarters in order to ask today’s leaders to take into consideration achieving cleaner air conditions and the effects of long-COVID on young adults. However, as passionate as she was, the 19-year-old’s speech did not go over very well on social media. Read more about what she had to say and the internet’s reaction below.
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Violet Affleck Makes A Speech About Long COVID At The United Nations Headquarters In NYC
When two celebrities have children and they go on to make headlines, it's typically because they're following in their parents' footsteps, like actors whose kids start acting in movies or models whose children start walking the runway. However, one "nepo baby" who is marching to the beat of her own drum is 19-year-old Violet Affleck, who recently spoke at the United Nations.
Over the last week, world leaders have been meeting at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, including President Trump, to discuss some of today's most pressing issues across the world. The meetings also give special guests a chance to speak, and Violet, who has been outspoken about public health and the effects of COVID-19 since the pandemic.
On September 23rd, the teenager addressed the United Nations during an event titled "Healthy Indoor Air: A Global Call to Action." During the event, she spoke about her experience in contracting long-COVID, and expressed her disappointment in American leaders and politicians, who she feels were "ignoring, downplaying, and concealing" the long-term effects of the virus that sent the world into lockdown in 2020.
"We are told by leaders across the board that we are the future," said Violet during her speech. "But when it comes to the ongoing pandemic, our present is being stolen right in front of our eyes."
The Internet Reacts To Violet's Speech On Social Media
While the Yale student's speech and overall apperance at the United Nations was quite an impressive accomplishment, and while she may have made an impact on some leaders, it seems that the internet is not all that into what she had to say, and are struggling to understand why she was chosen to speak during the important event, aside from her parents' status.
This is not the first time Jennifer and Ben's daughter has spoken at public or political events, and even arrived at the White House alongside her mother in 2022 for a state dinner. Violet first began facing backlash from the public after writing essays and making speeches where she expressed her opinion on the importance of wearing COVID-19 preventative face masks in public, opposing mask bans. Numerous internet users believe her "nepo baby" status is getting her further, despite her entering a field separate from her parents' acting careers.
Under clips of her U.N. speech on social media, users commented on the matter, slamming not only her beliefs but her privilege of being there.
"I just feel for her, but how does she get to speak to the United Nations?!" asked an Instagram user.
"She's truly lived in a bubble her whole life," added another.
Other users pointed out that Violet's parents "don't wear masks" when they're oftentimes seen in public together, causing another online debate.
Despite what the internet has to say, the two actors are still standing by their daughter, stating in the past that they're proud of her for making her voice heard.
"Violet's hyper-articulate," Jennifer said in a 2021 interview. "She is Ben Affleck's daughter."
