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During promotional interviews, Mackie controversially suggested that Captain America "does not represent America." While his wording was vague, critics and fans alike took this as a dampening of the patriotic symbolism traditionally associated with the star-spangled hero. This led to a tide of criticism, with social media users arguing that Mackie was conflating Captain America's character with the U.S. government—something he explicitly denied clarifying later.
The Star's Rebuttal and Clarification
In response to the flak, Mackie issued an Instagram story to backtrack on his previous statement. He affirmed his pride in being an American, emphasizing that taking on the mantle of Captain America was a personal honor. He stated: