Ben Affleck says his kids must work for expensive items after declining son's $6000 sneakers request
Ben Affleck has weighed in on the recent viral moment involving his teenage son Samuel's request for an expensive pair of designer trainers, using the spotlight to share his views on parenting and the importance of teaching children the value of money.
The actor appeared on Today with Jenna & Friends on 22 April, where he discussed the widely shared video of a conversation between him and 13-year-old Samuel over a pair of $6,000 Dior Air Force 1s. Affleck recalled, "He wanted these sneakers, and I was like, 'These sneakers are $6,000, what are you talking about? What are you gonna do, mow lawns? You got $6,000?'"
Affleck explained that although he has the financial means, he doesn't believe in simply giving his children everything they ask for. 'You love your kids. You want to give them everything and do everything for them, but I think you definitely do them a disservice by not connecting [if] you want something that you want, you have to work for that,' he said.
During the segment, Affleck confirmed that his older children, Violet and Seraphina, both have jobs. The actor suggested this kind of responsibility is essential to help young people appreciate the cost of their desires.
Speaking on his youngest, he added, "My son, who's 13, he's reckoning with that reality right now. He's looking at no shoes in his closet. Well, he's got shoes, just no crazy expensive fancy shoes."
The story originally gained attention after Affleck and Samuel were spotted at a sneaker convention where the teenager expressed interest in the high-priced footwear. Affleck's reaction was caught on camera, leading to widespread discussion online.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Express Tribune
Van Hunt's proposal to Halle Berry 'still floating', while she defends 'spinning' Mother's Day post
Halle Berry opens up about her relationship with Van Hunt, her thoughts on marriage, and reactions to a controversial Mother's Day post Halle Berry recently discussed her relationship with boyfriend Van Hunt, the couple's views on marriage, and the controversy surrounding her Mother's Day post in an appearance on Today with Jenna & Friends. In the candid interview, the Oscar-winning actress revealed that while her relationship with Hunt is thriving, she is taking her time with marriage, despite Hunt's proposal. Berry and Hunt, who have been together since 2020, shared a playful moment when Hunt revealed that he had already proposed to Berry. "I put out the proposal, and it's still on hold," Hunt joked, adding that the proposal was "floating out there" while they wait for Berry's decision. The 58-year-old actress responded with a laugh, explaining that marriage isn't a necessity for them to validate their love. She emphasized that both she and Hunt had been married before, and after multiple marriages, they are in no rush. 'We don't feel like we have to get married to validate our love in any way,' Berry said, adding that when they do marry, it will be because they genuinely want to, not out of obligation. Regarding when they might tie the knot, Berry assured fans, 'I think we will get married just because, out of the people I've been married to, this is the person I should have married.' She hinted that it would happen 'soon,' but reiterated that their bond does not need a wedding certificate to be strong. Berry also addressed the backlash she received following her sultry Mother's Day post, in which she promoted her Let's Spin intimacy gel alongside Hunt. The video, caused a stir with some commenters questioning why Berry wasn't spending the day with her children. 'It's not 'Kid's Day,'' she responded, emphasizing that she had every right to enjoy her day how she saw fit. Berry, who has two children from previous relationships, said she believes it's important for mothers to take time for themselves and have their own celebrations. Though critics were vocal about the post, Berry remained firm in her stance, saying, 'If I want to be in bed and spin with my man, then that's what I'm going to do.' While Berry's relationship with Hunt is a key part of her life, she has consistently emphasized that her children and family are her top priorities. However, she also revealed how fulfilled she feels in her current romantic relationship, saying that it makes her a better mother. 'I feel happy in my life romantically, as a mother, as an artist,' Berry reflected. 'I'm a much better mother in this circumstance than I would have been had I stayed in a romantic relationship that didn't serve me.' As for her thoughts on marriage, it seems only a matter of time before the couple takes the next step, but on their terms, and in their own time.
Express Tribune
22-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Ben Affleck, Islamophobia and global stakes of speaking up
Listen to article In an era when celebrity commentary often seems either performative or superficial, a rare moment of sincerity can stand out — especially when it affirms dignity over division. That's exactly what happened last month when I had a brief but meaningful encounter with Ben Affleck. While walking together, my wife spotted Affleck in the distance. To her horror, I walked straight up to him before she could stop me. "Hey Ben," I said. He looked up, clearly caught off guard — likely expecting a selfie request or a comment about The Accountant 2. But instead, I told him, "You probably don't remember, but I want to thank you for standing up for Muslims and calling out Islamophobia years ago on " Before I could finish, he smiled and said, "On Bill Maher show?" I nodded. Without missing a beat, he replied: "It should be obvious. There's no place for hate." My wife had caught up by then and instinctively recorded the tail end of our chat — a brief handshake, but a powerful moment of moral clarity. A moment that reminded me — and clearly millions of others, given how widely the story resonated online — that Hollywood, at its best, can push back against harmful narratives. That exchange brought me back to 2014, when Affleck famously challenged Bill Maher and Sam Harris on HBO's Real Time. Harris, a neuroscientist and prominent atheist, had declared that "Islam is the mother lode of bad ideas" and argued that liberals fail to confront theocratic extremism. Maher backed him, claiming that Muslim societies broadly lack liberal values. Affleck didn't let it slide. "It's gross. It's racist," he said, comparing the generalisations to saying, "Oh, you shifty Jew." He reminded the panel — and the audience — that there are more than a billion Muslims who are not fanatics, who "just want to go to school, have some sandwiches." In the years since, Harris has doubled down, blaming Hamas entirely for Gaza's suffering, suggesting that Western civilisation alone represents "civilisation", and arguing that liberal institutions are being infiltrated by "stealth Islamists". Meanwhile, Bill Maher has continued to use his platform to attack Muslims. He has said Islam has "too much in common with ISIS", joked that he's afraid of people named "Muhammad", and mocked a Muslim teenager arrested for bringing a homemade clock to school. This is not principled critique. It's a pattern. And it's a pattern we see repeated in more respectable tones, too. In a recent op-ed for Newsweek, Dr Qanta Ahmed warned of the dangers of "radical Islamism" in the US, citing a Muslim housing development in Texas and its spiritual leader, Dr Yasir Qadhi, as causes for concern. But her argument rested on associations, not evidence. The implication was clear: visibly devout or politically engaged Muslims are to be viewed with suspicion. As someone who has spent years in both academic and legal circles defending religious freedom and civil liberties, I find this shift troubling. We are watching liberal ideals — free expression, equal protection and due process — increasingly applied selectively. Critique of extremism is necessary. But when that critique becomes a vehicle for collective blame, it ceases to be liberal. It becomes a form of ideological tribalism. Affleck's words that day stayed with me: "There's no place for hate." Not against Muslims. Not against Palestinians. Not against anyone. If liberalism is to mean anything at all, it must mean a consistent defence of human dignity, regardless of who is speaking, praying or resisting. We must challenge extremism wherever it arises. But we must also challenge the quiet, polite, professional Islamophobia that too often hides behind the mask of rationalism. In a world where celebrity voices are often louder than policy papers, Affleck's moment of moral clarity matters. And as the viral reaction to our brief encounter suggests, people are hungry for voices that speak up — not just for themselves, but for fairness. And this matters just as much in Pakistan as it does in the US. Those in the Global South are often on the receiving end of these narratives — through media, foreign policy, or biased gatekeeping in global discourse. When someone like Affleck uses his platform to push back against lazy stereotypes, it ripples far beyond Hollywood. Because there is, indeed, no place for hate.
Express Tribune
18-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Kid Rock criticizes Bruce Springsteen over anti-Trump comments during UK concert
Bruce Springsteen's recent remarks criticizing U.S. President Donald Trump during a concert in Manchester, England, have drawn backlash from musician and outspoken Trump supporter Kid Rock. During the opening night of his Land of Hope and Dreams tour earlier this week, Springsteen referred to the Trump administration as 'corrupt, incompetent and treasonous.' He called on the crowd to rise against authoritarianism, emphasizing the role of art and music in defending democratic values. 'In my home, the America I love... is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous administration,' Springsteen said. 'Let freedom ring!' In response to Springsteen's statements, Kid Rock, 54, voiced his disapproval during an appearance on Fox & Friends on Friday. He accused Springsteen of trying to gain favor with Hollywood elites and dismissed his criticism as an example of 'Trump Derangement Syndrome.' 'To be in Europe talking junk about our president… what a punk move,' said Rock. 'This guy's got, what, 500 million, a billion dollars… and is out there playing like he's a working-class hero.' Springsteen added further remarks later in his set, stating, 'The last check on power after the checks and balances of government have failed are the people, you and me.' The commentary didn't go unnoticed by Trump, 78, who reacted on his platform, TruthSocial. He dismissed Springsteen as 'Highly Overrated,' calling him a 'pushy, obnoxious JERK' and criticizing his political affiliations with former President Joe Biden.
