Tom Hanks’ son Chet speaks out after his ‘White Boy Summer’ phrase is adopted by hate groups

Chet Hanks speaks out after the controversial phrase he coined years ago is now being used by white supremacists and hate groups.

Chet Hanks has spoken out after the controversial “White Boy Summer” phrase he coined years ago is now being used as a slogan by several white supremacists and hate groups.

The son of actor Tom Hanks popularised the term in 2021 as a playful take on Megan Thee Stallion’s hit song Hot Girl Summer, with Chet’s version quickly becoming a meme with the intention of promoting and embracing “fly” white boys.

He even released a rap song by the same name.

But according to a recent report from social-justice non-profit group Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE), the term has recently been adopted by far-right extremists who have been appropriating “White Boy Summer” for hate speech and memes.

Chet Hanks has spoken out about the use of White Boy Summer in racist propaganda.

“Several extremist groups including the Proud Boys, White Lives Matter, the Identitarian movement in Europe and neo-Nazi Active Clubs are all using ‘White Boy Summer’ to spread propaganda, recruit new members and facilitate targeted hate campaigns including acts of vandalism and hate incidents,” GPAHE wrote in the article.

Chet condemned extremists using the term in hate speech and memes.

In a social media post shared on Thursday, Chet, 33, condemned the factions, saying that “White Boy Summer” is about white men adoring women from all walks of life.

Although he did not address the GPAHE report directly, Chet said misusing the phrase was harmful.

“White boy summer was created to be fun, playful, and a celebration of fly white boys who love beautiful queens of every race,” he wrote in his statement posted to Instagram.

Chet is the son of actor Tom Hanks and actress Rita Wilson.

“Anything else that it has been twisted into to support any kind of hate or bigotry against any group of people is deplorable and I condemn it. I hope that we all can spread love to each other and treat each other with kindness and dignity.”

Chet started using the term on his social media posts years ago, using the #WBS hashtag on everything from fashion to life advice for other men. However, he knew that the phrase may cause controversy so he clarified his stance from the get go.

“Take it how you want it, [but] I’m not talking about, like, Trump, NASCAR-type white,” he wrote on Instagram at the time, adding that he was talking about himself and fellow white R&B artists, Jon B. and Jack Harlow.

“Let me know if you guys can vibe with that. And get ready, ‘cuz I am.”

Originally published as Tom Hanks’ son Chet speaks out after his ‘White Boy Summer’ phrase is adopted by hate groups