In a surprising turn of events, actor Ashton Kutcher has stepped down as board chair of Thorn, an anti-child trafficking group that he co-founded. This decision comes after Kutcher faced intense criticism for writing a letter of support on behalf of his former "That '70s Show" co-star, Danny Masterson, who was recently convicted of raping two women. In a resignation letter posted on Thorn's website, Kutcher expressed remorse for his "error in judgment" and stated that he did not want his actions to distract from the group's efforts and the children they serve.

The controversy surrounding Kutcher and Kunis began when they, along with dozens of colleagues, relatives, and friends, wrote letters to a Los Angeles County judge asking for leniency in Masterson's sentencing. Despite their pleas, Masterson was ultimately sentenced to 30 years to life in prison, the maximum allowable under the law. Kutcher's letter to the judge described Masterson as a "role model" and an "extraordinarily honest and intentional human being," stating that he believed Masterson was not an ongoing harm to society.

Following significant backlash, Kutcher and Kunis took to social media to address the situation. In a video posted to Instagram, they clarified that their letters were not intended to discount the trauma and experiences of Masterson's victims. They reaffirmed their support for victims of sexual violence and expressed regret for any harm caused. However, the damage had already been done, and the public outcry against the couple continued.

In his resignation letter to Thorn, Kutcher explained that he and Kunis had spent several days engaging in personal reflection, learning, and conversations with survivors and employees of the organization. It was during this process that they came to the decision for Kutcher to step down as board chair. He offered a heartfelt apology to all victims of sexual violence and to the Thorn community that he may have hurt with his actions.

Thorn, which was co-founded by Kutcher and Demi Moore in 2009, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating child sexual abuse. They have developed technology to help identify victims of abuse online. Thorn released a statement expressing gratitude for Kutcher's contributions over the past 15 years and acknowledging the impact he has made on their mission.

This controversy has shed light on the issue of celebrity support for individuals facing serious criminal charges. The case of Danny Masterson highlights the importance of supporting and believing survivors of sexual violence and the need for accountability in cases of abuse. Kutcher's resignation serves as a reminder that even those in positions of power and influence must face the consequences of their actions and make amends for any harm caused.