Watch: Kenneth Cole Stands by Controversial Syria Tweet

The shoe guru angers the Twittersphere again

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Fashion designer Kenneth Cole isn’t backing down after a tweet he posted Thursday that drew criticism for making light of the  debate over a potential U.S. strike on Syria.

The tweet, posted Thursday morning, reads:

[tweet https://twitter.com/KennethCole/status/375673368462102528%5D

Later Thursday, Cole posted a video on the online photo and video-sharing site Instagram responding to the criticism. “For 30 years I have used my platform in provocative ways to encourage a healthy dialogue about important issues, including HIV/AIDS, war, and homelessness,” says Cole, who describes himself on Twitter as a “Designer, Aspiring Humanitarian, Frustrated Activist, Social Networker In training.” Watch his full statements:

It’s not the first time Cole has drawn the ire of the Twittersphere. In 2011, as protests grew in Egypt, Cole tweeted: “”Millions are in uproar in #Cairo. Rumor is they heard our new spring collection is now available online… -KC.” He later apologized and deleted the tweet, calling it insensitive.

Here are some responses to Cole’s most recent controversy:

[tweet https://twitter.com/prtini/status/375676099671248896%5D

[tweet https://twitter.com/ddale8/status/375697561115324416%5D

[tweet https://twitter.com/BeckyGMartinez/status/375699484086255616%5D

[CNNMoney]