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Ben Affleck said tabloids “deliberately mischaracterized” comments he made about ex-wife Jennifer Garner and his battle with alcoholism.

In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the Air director addressed the controversy that ensued after his 2021 interview on TheHoward Stern Show went viral following comments he made about Garner, whom he divorced in 2018. At the time, Affleck said he would “probably still be drinking” if they were still married, causing a public uproar that accused the actor of blamingGarnerfor his addiction.