Ronda Rousey, the former MMA star and current pro wrestler, has issued a public apology for endorsing a Sandy Hook conspiracy theory over a decade ago on Twitter, now known as X. In a sincere statement released late Thursday night, Rousey expressed profound regret, revealing that she has felt remorse for her actions every day since.
The 37-year-old Californian admitted that she had long wrestled with the decision to apologize and finally felt it was the right moment to do so. “I deeply regret that this apology comes 11 years too late,” she stated. “To the victims and families affected by the Sandy Hook tragedy, I am truly sorry for the pain I contributed to. I cannot begin to understand your suffering, and I am deeply ashamed for my role in it.”
Rousey shared that she had repeatedly revised her apology, torn between the desire to address her mistake and the fear of potentially exacerbating the situation. She described her decision to share a YouTube video promoting the Sandy Hook conspiracy as her “greatest regret.” This video, posted in January 2013—shortly after the December 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School—was promptly removed following backlash.
In her apology, Rousey acknowledged that she did not believe the conspiracy theory but was overwhelmed by the tragedy and sought an alternate explanation. She regretted not addressing the issue sooner, fearing it might draw further attention to the conspiracy and reinforce her ignorance.
Rousey also revealed that she had planned to include the apology in her memoir but was advised by her publisher to exclude it, fearing it would overshadow the book’s content. She now feels that she deserved the criticism and backlash and will continue to regret her actions indefinitely.
She concluded her statement by advising others who might be drawn to conspiracy theories, warning that such beliefs only lead to isolation and distress. “It’s never too late to correct your path,” she urged. The Sandy Hook conspiracy theory, which has been widely debunked and propagated by figures like Alex Jones, has led to legal repercussions, including substantial damages awarded to the victims’ families.