Kenneth Cole's 'Boots On The Ground' Tweet Uses Syria Conflict To Sell Shoes

Kenneth Cole's Offensive Syria Tweet

Kenneth Cole is at it again on Twitter, and once more, he's getting thrashed.

In a tweet sent Thursday, the fashion designer weighed in on possible military action in Syria by mocking the phrase "boots on the ground," which has been used by President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry with regards to sending in ground troops.

In a statement to CNBC, Cole said that he uses his platform in "provocative ways" in order to start dialogues about important issues like HIV, war and homelessness.

"I'm well aware of the risks that come with this approach, and if this encourages further awareness and discussion about critical issues then all-the-better," he said.

If you recall, Cole ignited quite the firestorm in 2011 when he joked about the escalating protests in Egypt to tout his new spring collection.

And just like his previous misstep, the responses to Cole's “boots on the ground” tweet have been swift, and almost unanimously negative:

@KennethCole regretting that last shoe purchase, won't happen again. have a good day!

— Kevin (@fatmanatee) September 5, 2013

@KennethCole you are a giant douche.

— Michael Krempasky (@krempasky) September 5, 2013

Is there no horrible situation @KennethCole won't use to promote its shitty clothing?

— financial acrobat (@finansakrobat) September 5, 2013

This post has been updated to include a statement from Kenneth Cole

Before You Go

Susan Rice

Here's What Politicians Have Said About Syria

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