The 29-year-old previously went viral in May for sharing his thoughts on the role of women during a commencement speech at a Catholic college in Kansas.
Butker published his reactions on social media. “This is crazy,” he wrote on social media, following that with a Bible quote. He also quoted scripture on X, writing, “Be not deceived, God is not mocked. For what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap. For he that soweth in his flesh, of the flesh also shall reap corruption. But he that soweth in the spirit, of the spirit shall reap life everlasting.”
The clip he shared included a clip of the performance, which has been slammed on social media and eventually was removed from the official Olympics YouTube page following intense backlash.
Besides the Last Supper parody, there were several other moments during the opening ceremony that led to strong reactions from viewers, including a headless Marie Antoinette and a “pale horse” which drew comparisons to the Book of Revelation in the Bible.
Thomas Jolly, creative director of the opening ceremony depictions, had this to say about his vision. “The extraordinary thing is that everyone in France and the rest of the world has an idea of what France is all about. And I want to play with that, that’s where I want to start from – breaking down clichés, because clichés come along other things,” he said, according to the Olympics website.
“Above all, I want this ceremony to include everyone. We must all celebrate this diversity,” Jolly added.
He also said, “I was overwhelmed at first. I wondered how I could create a show where everyone can feel represented as part of this great union. This responsibility was ambitious, complex, but magnificent for an artist.”
Jolly continued, “When we watch ‘Emily in Paris’ or ‘Amélie Poulain,’ we know it’s not quite the real Paris. We’re going to play with all those cliches, but we’re also going to challenge them. Paris is also a vibrant youth. Different cultures rubbing shoulders in the streets. I’ll be fired if I tell you anything. All I can tell you is that it will be very meaningful for the artists that will perform.”