Whitney Cummings called 'liar' with 'agenda' by Malibu rancher
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() An L.A.-based rancher is taking aim at Whitney Cummings claiming the comedian once “lied for likes” to boost her rep after the horrendous Woolsey Fires in 2018.

Ronnie Semmler, an LA-based rancher, owns the Saddle Rock Ranch an 1100-acre ranch in Malibu, California, which has a vineyard (where tourists can do the Malibu Wine Hikes) and is the home to LA’s “most famous giraffe,” Stanley.

Stanley, who has made regular movie and TV appearances throughout his life, including a cameo in “The Hangover 3”, is at the center of a story Semmler tells on Instagram.

Whitney Cummings ‘trespassed’: Rancher

In this particular story, Semmler notes: “After the Woolsey Fire destroyed 95% of our home… we were focused on protecting what was left and taking care of our animals. During that time, Whitney Cummings trespassed, spoke to my son and daughter, was told that the animals were safe, and posted that ‘everything was good.’ But when it didn’t get enough engagement, she flipped the story, causing a wave of attacks while we were mourning and rebuilding a reminder that for some, clout means more than truth.”

In the video, Semmler, decked out in a cowboy hat and a pink button-down shirt, looks at the camera and says:

“Instead of dealing with my losses in the fire, I had to deal with some comedian, Whitney Cummings who had an agenda and it wasn’t about caring about anything other than herself… Two of my kids headed up to the ranch. They saw a black Tesla… and they found Whitney Cummings, a supposed comedian who had lied to the police, saying she was press to get up there.”

“She went up there with a definite agenda nothing to do with animals… just about getting social media numbers,” Semmler said.

Whitney Cummings allegedly climbed into giraffe’s enclosure: Rancher

Cummings had apparently climbed the fence to get into Stanley’s enclosure for a better shot.

“(Cummings) said she’d never had any experience with giraffes but proceeded to climb into the cage to take video of herself.” Semmler included a video Cummings had posted (inside the giraffe enclosure) saying, “I know nothing about giraffes… are they violent?”

Cummings left after the Semmler children arrived and initially posted, “Animals are ok.. all is fine. I’m glad I came up here to check.” The post was later deleted and changed to a reel that had a picture of Stanley, noting, “They left Stanley the giraffe in toxic smoke! They didn’t even have a plan to evacuate him…”

Another poster said, “YOU USE THIS ANIMAL for a tourist attraction, then leave him to die? Sociopaths.”

Semmler (who included all of Cummings’ posts in his video) said:

“She must have observed a huge drop in social media posts and then flipped the script… figured this would be a better way to get more views. Not to mention, everything was untrue. (The animals) were ok and (we were) fully taking care of them and the ranch after it almost burned to the ground… Isn’t it amazing how one person could lie about what she saw for her own personal benefit and do damage to my ranch and my family and create total havoc for months, if not years, to come.”

A rep for Cummings didn’t return emails.

Whitney Cummings attends the TIME Women of the Year Gala at The West Hollywood EDITION on February 25, 2025 in West Hollywood. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)

Whitney Cummings’ posts allegedly caused trouble for rancher’s family

The posts did cause trouble for the Semmler family and Stanley.

According to SFGate, “Stanley’s woes began in 2018, when the Woolsey Fire tore through 96,949 acres of Malibu hillsides, including through Saddlerock Ranch. As reports emerged that Stanley and the other animals had been abandoned on the ranch during the fire, public and celebrity outcry quickly grew into an explosion of social media criticism after a photo began circulating that showed Stanley with flames behind him.”

After the Semmler showed they had followed appropriate evacuation methods, PETA got involved, saying the giraffe’s situation during the Woolsey Fire drew attention to the “sad, lonely life he’s forced to endure at Malibu Wine Safaris,” adding that he’s “just used to lure in tourists.”

According to KABC, “The family had never obtained a required animal facility license from the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control, which in turn is a requirement for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s state restricted species permit. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife cited Ron Semler in June 2020 for ‘falsely certifying on his state restricted species permit applications that he was in compliance with all county laws.’”

Stanley was later “seized in place and the case was finally resolved in 2021 when Semmler paid $4,170 in fines and was ordered to complete 40 hours of community service.”

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