Ben Affleck rejects son's Lamborghini request after viral 2022 incident

Ben Affleck recently declined his 14-year-old son Samuel's request to purchase a Lamborghini, a decision the actor explained during an appearance on Kerry Washington's podcast, "Street You Grew Up On." Affleck, who is 54, stated that Samuel has inherited his affinity for luxury items, contrasting this with his older children, Violet, 20, and Fin, 17, who he described as aversive to material goods.

The actor recalled the specific interaction, noting that Samuel asked him to get a Lamborghini. Affleck responded by questioning the logic of driving a yellow Lamborghini to a club, ultimately rejecting the idea. He noted that his older two children often refuse gifts, whereas Samuel actively requests high-end items.

This exchange follows a notable incident in June 2022 when Samuel, then 10, was involved in a minor collision with a Lamborghini Urus. At the time, Affleck allowed Samuel to sit in the driver's seat of the bright yellow SUV at 777 Exotics, a luxury car rental dealership in the Los Angeles area. The boy accidentally put the vehicle into reverse and backed into a white BMW. Affleck was present with then-fiancée Jennifer Lopez, and photographs showed the boy jumping out to inspect the vehicles while Affleck checked for damage.

According to the New York Post, the Lamborghini Urus rented for $1,475 per day and was valued at $250,000 at the time of the incident. Representatives for both Affleck and 777 Exotics told the outlet that neither vehicle sustained damage. An employee at the dealership stated there were no hard feelings following the fender-bender and expressed hope that the family would return.

The Lamborghini is not the first high-priced item to capture Samuel's attention. In March 2025, a video shared on Instagram showed Samuel admiring a pair of Dior x Nike Air Jordan 1 sneakers priced at $6,000 during a convention. In the clip, Affleck told his son that the cost was equivalent to mowing many lawns. The actor later joked about the viral moment in an interview with Access Hollywood, noting that his son had previously claimed to be tough but changed his mind about wanting the shoes.

Affleck has spoken about his approach to raising his three children with ex-wife Jennifer Garner, whom he was married to from 2005 to 2018. In an April 2025 appearance on "Today with Jenna & Friends," he explained that he wants his children to understand the value of hard work rather than expecting handouts. He stated that doing them a disservice by not connecting wants with effort is something he actively tries to avoid.

The actor also shared his perspective on his career's impact on his family during a recent appearance on "Late Night with Seth Meyers." He recalled feeling uncool and despised early in his career when his daughter was born and several of his movies did not work well. He noted that as his children have grown older, he has realized they do not care about his Hollywood success. Instead, he said the most cool thing he has done in their eyes is becoming a meme.

This reference likely alludes to December 2020, when photos circulated of Affleck outside his Los Angeles residence attempting to manage multiple Dunkin' iced coffees and a box of Munchkins. The images went viral, with social media users joking that his exasperated expression summed up the frustrations of that year. Affleck later entered into an official partnership with Dunkin' in 2023, starring in and directing its first-ever Super Bowl commercial.