Chris Pratt Reportedly 'Surprised' By Harsh Reactions To His Election Op-ed: 'He Wanted To Unite People'

Chris Pratt was reportedly taken aback by the brutal response he got from fans after penning a neutral op-ed about the 2024 election.

A source said the actor didn't "realize" why the article generated so much backlash, as he only wanted to "unite" people with it.

Chris Pratt had called for Americans to remember that "we are fellow countrymen" regardless of who emerged victorious in the election, asking both sides to learn "how to win and lose with grace."

The "Guardians of the Galaxy" actor was reportedly left puzzled by the backlash that trailed the article he wrote ahead of Tuesday's presidential election, which saw Donald Trump defeat Kamala Harris and make a historic return to the White House.

According to the Daily Mail, a source close to the actor shared that he's a "very open person and honest person" and that he "doesn't realize why his op-ed has rubbed people up the wrong way."

The insider continued, "He is genuine in nature even if it appears that he is actually oblivious to others' feelings. He's surprised by the reaction to his op-ed. He wanted people to talk about it and to make an impact."

"He wanted to unite people, but all he has done is unite people against him. He has been taken back," they added.

Fans were seemingly left divided by Pratt's neutral stand in the op-ed for his mother-in-law Maria Shriver's website, Sunday Paper, with some saying his noncommittal statement was vapid.

In the article, Pratt emphasized that he "sees things from both sides" and understands "that people's lives and rights are on the line." However, regardless of who emerges the winner, Americans must embrace the lessons learned from sports and learn "how to win and lose with grace."

"It's ok to take a moment to lick your wounds when you lose. Heck, go ahead and cry in the mirror," Pratt wrote. "But if we become too paralyzed by defeat or too pompous in victory, allegiance to our 'team' can blind us to the fact that we are fellow countrymen."

Many users took to social media to pen their frustration with the post, with some calling him names in the process.

"Coward… if you're gonna tell us to take a stand on our own political beliefs but you don't do the same but want us to take your 'stupid political advice' - shut up and sit down," a person wrote.

Unlike Pratt, several of his Hollywood and Marvel Cinematic Universe colleagues endorsed Kamala Harris before the election kicked off.

Pratt's fellow "Avengers" stars, including Scarlett Johannsson, Robert Downey Jr, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Paul Bettany, Don Cheadle, and Danai Gurira, endorsed Harris in a viral video.

His father-in-law, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was one-time governor of California with the Republican Party, also penned a lengthy post on X where he publicly endorsed Harris for president.

"I will always be an American before I am a Republican," Schwarzenegger wrote. "That's why, this week, I am voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz."

The "Terminator" actor said that a second presidential term for Trump "will just be four more years of bullsh-t with no results that make us angrier and angrier, more divided, and more hateful."

"We need to close the door on this chapter of American history, and I know that former President Trump won't do that. He will divide, he will insult, he will find new ways to be more un-American than he already has been, and we, the people, will get nothing but more anger," Schwarzenegger added.

Meanwhile, the source who spoke to the Daily Mail reflected on why Pratt chose not to openly take a side, saying that the relationship between Pratt and Schwarzenegger is not broken.

"Maria and Arnold respect him and know the man that he is," the source shared. "They don't agree with all of his views, but it isn't a deal breaker because they, along with everyone else he is friends with, know that he doesn't intend to hurt anyone's feelings or make them think a certain way."

The insider noted that both actors would refrain from discussing the election outcome but that Schwarzenegger is "always there for advice if Chris ever asks or needs it."

They continued, "Arnold, though a Republican, stands for Kamala, and he has his own reasons for that. Whomever Chris is voting for is his own decision and Arnold is going to accept it. He just wants Chris to be the man he needs to be for his children and his daughter."

Pratt is expecting his third child with wife Katherine Schwarzenegger, with whom he shares daughters Lyla Maria and Eloise Christina.

During a recent appearance on "Today," he sat down with his co-star Millie Bobbie Brown to discuss their new Netflix film "The Electric State." However, he took a moment to share details about his bundle of joy.

"You don't have to tell us, obviously, but do you know if it's a boy or a girl?" the show's co-host Savannah Guthrie asked Pratt, per People Magazine.

"We don't know!" he replied. "I've got my son Jack and then the two girls. So we don't know, we'll wait. We wait, and we're surprised on the day."

Pratt is also father to son Jack Pratt from his previous marriage to actress Anna Faris.