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The objections began soon after the show's trailer was released. Egyptian scholars and officials strongly condemned the depiction, asserting that Cleopatra was not Black and emphasizing that the series distorted historical facts. The Egyptian government actively voiced its disapproval, emphasizing that such portrayals disrespect Egypt’s rich heritage and misrepresent their history.
Adding fuel to the fire, the promotional trailer for the series amassed nearly 400,000 dislikes compared to only about 30,000 likes on YouTube. In an attempt to control the narrative and curb criticism, Netflix disabled comment sections under the trailer—an act that many saw as a clear indication of the platform’s fear of negative backlash.