“House of Cards” star Kevin Spacey is facing criticism after a selfie he tweeted last Wednesday with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto was reported to have been paid off by the Mexican government. Spacey vehemently denied the report.

“One of these Presidents is real. With President Enrique Pena Nieto in Mexico last night,” Spacey tweeted May 7, as he posed with Nieto.

Mexican tourism board chief Rodolfo López Negrete Coppel told Forbes that the actor was paid, but declined to reveal how much.

Earlier, a report in 24 Horas, a Mexican website, claimed Spacey was paid $8 million dollars by the government.

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“Story about Mex Gov paying 8m or any amount for selfie not true! Was In Mex for Tourist Board event,” Spacey tweeted in both English and Spanish. “Meeting President not planned at all.”

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Many Mexicans on social media were outraged over the alleged government money going to Spacey and remain skeptical of the encounter.

“I guess nobody got the joke,” Spacey initially tweeted following the controversial selfie. “I was in character as Francis Underwood in House of Cards, not myself! I don’t know jack about Mexican politics.”

Story about Mex Gov paying 8m or any amount for selfie not true! Was In Mex for Tourist Board event. Meeting President not planned at all. - Kevin Spacey (@KevinSpacey) May 16, 2014