Cher apologises for George Floyd tweet claiming she 'could have helped' if she was there

Music icon Cher has been forced to apologise after tweeting that she "could have helped" George Floyd, prompting followers to accuse her of having a "white saviour complex".

The 74-year-old singer came under fire after she tweeted her thoughts following the start of the trial of ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who planted his knee on Floyd's neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds in May last year.

"Is Gonna Sound CRAZY, But … I Kept Thinking … Maybe If I'd Been There, … I Could've Helped," she wrote of Floyd's death.

Responding to the fierce backlash today, the Believe singer said she was "truly sorry" for upsetting followers.

"I know Ppl Apologize When They're In a Jam, BUT [hand] TO GOD … IM TRULY SORRY If I Upset AnyOne In [the black] Community, she wrote on Twitter.

I Just got off phone With Friend Karen.Told her what Happened,& Realized,You Can Piss Ppl Off,& Hurt Them By Not Knowing Everything That’s”NOT Appropriate”To Say.I know Ppl Apologize When They’re In a Jam,BUT🤚🏼TO GOD🙏🏼,IM TRULY SORRY If I Upset AnyOne In Blk Community.I Know My❤️

— Cher (@cher) April 3, 2021

It comes after fans accused her of white privilege following the "tone deaf" original tweet, which Cher had doubled down on over the weekend, insisting she would have been able to intervene.

Cher wrote in defence of her comments: "Wrestled With This Twt, Because I Thought some ppl wouldn't understand ... You Don't Know What I've Done, Who I Am, Or What I Believe. I CAN, I HAVE,& I WILL..HELP."

Wrestled With This Twt, Because I Thought some ppl wouldn’t understand, Or Believe an Entertainer Could have Honest emotions about a human Being,suffering & Dying,even if It’s Only Shown On tv. You Don’t Know What I’ve Done,Who I Am,Or What I Believe.I CAN,I HAVE,& I WILL..HELP

— Cher (@cher) April 3, 2021

"The size of your white saviour complex is overwhelming," wrote one Twitter user in response.

"Um … Cher, I think you're great and all, but this ain't it. George Floyd's murder isn't about you," another said.

One more claimed the statement undermined the people who actually watched the tragedy unfold and attempted to help Floyd.

This is significantly underplaying what witnesses who testified TRIED to do to stop his death. There have been MULTIPLE testimonies of everyone from a firefighter to an MMA fighter to a senior man who attempted to diffuse the situation. Singing songs doesn't erase racism, Cher. pic.twitter.com/oATlfe7kOw

— Shamontiel 🐾 📚 🌊 (@Maroonsista) April 3, 2021

Others were supportive of the star, claiming her heart was in the right place.

"Why is anyone mad at Cher? Most ppl who saw it thinks or hopes they could've helped. That's why so many of the witnesses cry on the stand. If Cher uses her celebrity to help, thanks," one said.

Another posted: "Y'all are roasting Cher for tweeting that she wishes she'd been there for George Floyd? Seriously?! She's not claiming she's a superhero like in your funny memes, it's all about the feelings of devastation and outrage. She wishes she could've helped George Floyd, like any of us."