Kim Kardashian has prompted outrage by sharing photos and details of her lavish birthday party on a private island while much of the world remains in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The reality star wrote about her 40th birthday celebrations on Twitter, along with photos of her and her guests dressed to the nines on an island getaway, in a series of posts dubbed "insanely selfish" and "out of touch" by social media users.
Kardashian wrote that she was feeling "humbled and blessed" as she turned another year older, adding: "There is not a single day that I take for granted, especially during these times when we are all reminded of the things that truly matter."
The mother-of-four explained that she surprised her "closet inner circle" with a tropical holiday after "two weeks of multiple health screens and asking everyone to quarantine".
"Before COVID, I don't think any of us truly appreciated what a simple luxury it was to be able to travel and be together with family and friends in a safe environment," she added.
The glamorous photos coupled with Kardashian's recounting of the activities the group partook in - kayaking, swimming with whales, watching a movie on the beach - infuriated many, who felt the tweets were "absolutely tone deaf".
"That's nice," one tweet read. "I’ve been working in my one-bedroom apartment for nine months and am back to being too nervous to visit my elderly father indoors."
In one tweet, Kardashian wrote that she and her guests were able to "pretend things were normal for just a brief moment in time" at the secret location.
"I realize that for most people, this is something that is so far out of reach right now, so in moments like these, I am humbly reminded of how privileged my life is," Kardashian continued.
"Wait, who's normal is this? You rented out a COVID-free island during a pandemic. Super normal," one angry Twitter user replied.
"This is insanely selfish and you are completely out of touch," another tweet read.
A third said that Kardashian should have known better.
"You could've waited, but you didn't. You could've done it quietly, but you didn't.
Flaunting the excess of privilege and wealth at this time is not cool, not right."
"I couldn't even go to my uncle's memorial," another Twitter user chimed in.
"I can't see my siblings who live in other countries. I can't see my dad unless I'm six feet away and he won't let me inside. Now it's freezing so I'm visiting him out in the cold. But enjoy your 'small luxury'."
