Mary Whitfill Roeloffs
Topline
Celebrities weighed in on the 2024 presidential race in a variety of ways, with some of the biggest names in sports and Hollywood hoping their backing could move the needle this November—here’s how they’ve reacted since Donald Trump won the election.
Key Facts
Whoopi Goldberg refused to say Trump’s name while on “The View” early Wednesday while co-hosts Sunny Hostin and Joy Behar, respectively, said they were “profoundly disturbed” and “vehemently disagree with the decision that Americans made.”
Singer and actress Ariana Grande posted she is “holding the hand of every person who is feeling the immeasurable heaviness of this outcome today.”
Billie Eilish, who vocally supported Vice President Kamala Harris, called Trump’s victory “a war on women.”
50 Cent, who didn’t clearly endorse any candidate ahead of the election but did say he turned down millions of dollars to perform at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally and the Republican National Convention, posted photos of himself with Trump on Instagram with the caption, “I don’t care how the fight goes, I’m leaving with the winner shit. I still don’t know what’s going on 🤦.”
Actor Kevin McHale posted of the Trump victory: “Supreme Court gone for the rest of my lifetime. Ultra-conservative evangelical bigotry, xenophobia, racism is the mandate.”
Joe Rogan, who hosted Trump on his successful podcast and endorsed him the day before the election, posted a video of himself watching Trump’s victory announced on Fox News with the caption “WHOLE. LEE. SHIT.”
Dana White, CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship who appeared at the Republican National Convention to endorse Trump, spoke at Trump’s victory rally on Wednesday and thanked “the mighty and powerful” Rogan for his support.
Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, a Trump supporter, said the Harris campaign’s “pure arrogance and their moral superiority” drove voters away and that Democrats spent the campaign “acting like you’re better than us, smarter than us, and, frankly, insulting our intelligence.”
“The Daily Show” host Jon Stewart told viewers on election night that Harris supporters “have to continue to fight and continue to work day in and day out to create the better society for our children, for this world, for this country that we know is possible.”
Jamie Lee Curtis encouraged Harris supporters to continue to “fight against tyranny, one day at a time” and said Trump’s victory means a “sure return to a more restrictive, some fear draconian time.”
Actress Christina Applegate posted her confusion about the results and said “My child is sobbing because her rights as a woman may be taken away.”
Actress Yvette Nicole Brown said “America is done. But they got their orange king.”
Bette Midler on Wednesday posted a photo threatening to drink a bottle of Drano, a toxic household cleaning chemical, if Trump won and after the results were revealed shared a quote about the presidency being won by men who are “intrinsically, the most devious and mediocre” before deactivating her X account.
Rapper Cardi B, who campaigned for Harris, said she felt “really sad” after Trump’s win and, in an Instagram live, said to those who voted for Trump “I swear to god, I’m gonna f**k you up. Get away from me! I’m sick of you!”
Piers Morgan, who supported Trump during much of his first presidency and later said he regretted his strong adoration, early Wednesday congratulated Trump and said the win is “a testament to your resilience, mental strength & never-give-up mentality as your enemies tried to kill you, jail you & brand you the new Hitler.”
Adam McKay, director of political satire “Don’t Look Up,” expressed frustration said it was time to “abandon” the Democratic party: “Who would have guessed lying about Biden’s cognitive health for 2 yrs, refusing to do an open convention for a new nominee, never mentioning public healthcare & embracing fracking, the Cheneys & a yr long slaughter of children in Gaza wouldn’t be a winning strategy?”
Actor Zachary Levi, who supported Trump, said he was “incredibly grateful” to all Republican voters who “saw thru all the noise.”
Billionaires who supported either presidential candidate have also spoken out about the results.
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What To Watch For
Reactions from A-List stars. Some of the most-watched-for endorsements came from Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, who have not yet publicly reacted to the news.
Which Celebrities Endorsed Harris?
Billionaire pop star Taylor Swift endorsed Kamala Harris in an Instagram post minutes after a debate between Harris and Trump wrapped up. She was joined by musicians Lady Gaga, will.i.am, Mick Jagger, Christina Aguilera, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Cardi B, Don Omar, Gracie Abrams, Demi Lovato, Mumford & Sons, Bad Bunny, Ricky Martin, Eminem, James Taylor, Stevie Nicks, Willie Nelson, Brittney Spencer, Margo Price, Cher, hip-hop duo Insane Clown Posse, Marc Anthony, Lizzo, Usher, Olivia Rodrigo, John Legend, Cardi B, Kesha, Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas, Chappell Roan, Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young, along with Beyoncé’s mom Tina Knowles. Beyoncé, whose song “Freedom” was used by the Harris campaign throughout the election, joined the Democratic candidate at a Houston rally Oct. 25—as did former bandmate Kelly Rowland and actress Jessica Alba. Artist Charli XCX had not made outright endorsements but signaled support.
A litany of actors also offered support, including Viola Davis, Chloë Grace Moretz, Dick Van Dyke, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Harrison Ford, Will Ferrell and Billy Eichner, Octavia Spencer, Julia Roberts, Leonardo DiCaprio , Sarah Jessica Parker, Whoopi Goldberg, George Clooney, Barbra Streisand, Rosie O’Donnell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Cynthia Nixon, Mindy Kaling, Tony Goldwyn, Kerry Washington, Nick Offerman, Jane Fonda, Ben Stiller, Kathy Griffin, John Stamos, Ed Helms, Tiffany Haddish, Ike Barinholtz, Matt Damon, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Aubrey Plaza, Jennifer Aniston, Mel Brooks, Lynda Carter, LeVar Burton, Anthony Rapp, Misha Collins, Mark Hamill, Robert De Niro, Jennifer Lawrence, Fran Drescher, Bryan Cranston and Anne Hathaway. “Avengers” cast members Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Don Cheadle, Danai Gurira and Paul Bettany teamed up for a video endorsement of Harris. Directors Ken Burns and Spike Lee, “West Wing” creator Aaron Sorkin and TV show host and producer Andy Cohen also said they support Harris. Comedian and host of “Last Week Tonight” John Oliver passionately urged voters to support Harris in his last episode of the weekly show before the election.
Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle and former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, also threw their support behind Harris. Former President Jimmy Carter, now 100, reportedly told his son he was trying to make it to the milestone birthday (which he did) so he could cast his vote for Kamala Harris. Barbara Pierce Bush, the daughter and granddaughter of former Republican presidents George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush, respectively, campaigned in Pennsylvania for Harris. Monica Lewinsky, the former White House intern turned activist, called on voters to “PLEASE VOTE … preferably like I did for Harris/Walz.” Body builder, actor, billionaire and former Republican governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger endorsed Harris in a social media post.
Billionaires Oprah Winfrey, Mark Cuban and Bill Gates supported the Harris/Walz ticket, and other billionaire supporters of Harris include Laurene Powell Jobs, Arthur Blank, Michael Bloomberg, John Pritzker, Sheryl Sandberg, Eric Schmidt, Steven Spielberg, John Fish, Reed Hastings, Theodore Leonsis, Christy Walton, Elaine Wynn, Melinda French Gates and Sean Parker.
Others who said they’ll vote for Harris include Republican political commentator Ana Navarro, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, fashion designer billionaire Tory Burch, Martha Stewart, scientist Bill Nye, former Fox News personality Geraldo Rivera and former member of the Trump administration and “The Apprentice” contestant Omarosa Manigault Newman.
Which Celebrities Backed Trump?
UFC President and personality Dana White endorsed Trump on stage at the Republican National Convention. Actors Mel Gibson, Dennis Quaid, Jon Voight, Rosanne Barr and Zachary Levi have all expressed support.
Musicians Kid Rock, Amber Rose, Chris Janson, Jason Aldean and Azealia Banks supported Trump.
Other supporters included Joe Rogan, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, Joe Germanotta, a New York City restaurant owner and father of pop star Lady Gaga, Dave Ramsey, Dr. Phil McGraw, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, YouTuber and boxer Jake Paul and Randi Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ mother.
Public-facing billionaires like Elon Musk and Steve Wynn also supported the former president, and his donors include billionaires Bill Ackman, Marc Andreesen, Dan Snyder, Linda McMahon, Diane Hendricks, Miriam Adelson, Kelcy Warren, Timothy Dunn, Elizabeth and Richard Uihlein, Phil Ruffin, Jeff Sprecher and Kelly Loeffler, Jimmy John Liautaud, Geoffrey Palmer, Bernard Marcus, Robert “Woody” Johnson, Kenny Troutt, George Bishop, J. Joe Ricketts, Andrew Beal, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, Don Ahern, Roger Penske, Richard Kurtz, Antonio Gracias and Douglas Leone.
Trump thanked Brittany Mahomes, wife of NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes, for her “defending him” after she lashed out at social media users who criticized her for liking several pro-Trump posts last month (Mahomes has not formally endorsed a candidate).
Which Athletes Endorsed Trump?
San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Nick Bosa, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, former pro wrestler Hulk Hogan, boxing legend Mike Tyson, former New York Giants players Lawrence Taylor and Ottis “O.J.” Anderson, former quarterback Brett Farve, boxing promoter Don King and former NASCAR star racer Danica Patrick all supported Trump. Former Pittsburgh Steelers players Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace appeared alongside him at a rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
Which Athletes Endorsed Harris?
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr endorsed Harris at the Democratic National Convention and the Warriors star Steph Curry said she was the “easy choice.” LeBron James also endorsed Harris. A campaign effort called Athletes for Harris launched in September with the endorsement of 15 Pro Football Hall of Famers and co-chairs of Athletes for Harris include former NBA star and billionaire Magic Johnson, Eagles defensive tackle Thomas Booker, women’s basketball legend Dawn Staley, tennis legend Billie Jean King, retired soccer player Ali Krieger, Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers and NBA point guard Chris “CP3” Paul. The Seattle Storm WNBA team also endorsed Harris, as did former Steelers Jerome Bettis and “Mean” Joe Greene, as well as the son of Franco Harris, endorsed Harris for president.
Surprising Fact
Former KKK Leader David Duke said on his radio show that he was endorsing Jill Stein, the Green Party candidate, for president. He called her the “only candidate who speaks clearly against the war in the Middle East.” Stein said she rejected the endorsement, calling Duke a “racist troll” and “white supremacist.” Duke endorsed Trump for president in 2020 and 2016.
Tangent
Reggaeton singer Nicky Jam—who took the stage at a Trump rally in September where the former president misgendered him in an introduction in which he said “She’s hot!”—later renounced his support, making him the latest in a series of Puerto Rican artists to speak against Trump after a comedian at a rally called the territory an “island of garbage.”
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