Billie Eilish, Jack White, Cardi B respond to Trump victory: ‘It’s a war on women’
"I thought better of us," Mary Trump wrote following the Republican candidate taking the White House
By Emily Zemler
Despite a slew of celebrity endorsements for Kamala Harris, Donald Trump has declared victory in the presidential election. His supporters are expectedly thrilled, but many who supported Harris (and who support rights for women and minorities) have spoken out against the election results.
Billie Eilish, one of Harris’ most vocal supporters and a fierce advocate for reproductive rights, shared a blunt statement on her Instagram Story: “It’s a war on women.”
Her brother, producer and singer Finneas also shared a statement on social media, writing, “He told you he’d rob the house and we unlocked the door.”
Jack White, a frequent critic of Trump, wrote on Instagram, “Americans chose a known, obvious fascist and now America will get whatever this wannabe dictator wants to enact from here on in.”
White added, “We all know what he is capable of: Project 2025, deportations, nationwide abortion ban, ending his own 2 term limit, backing Putin and his war, shutting down the Board of Education, adding to climate change, limiting LGBTQ rights, controlling the DOJ, keeping the minimum wage down, etc. etc. etc.. Any or all of it. It’s absolutely dumbfounding that this con man succeeded in pulling the wool over so many Americans eyes not once, but twice.”
“I hate yall bad,” Cardi B wrote on an Instagram Story that depicted her face as she listened to the results coming in. She also took aim at several Southern states that swung toward Trump in a now-deleted post on X, saying, “This is why some of y’all states be getting hurricanes.”
Cardi shared a longer statement later, addressed to Harris directly: “No matter what they’ve said to bring yo down or belittle your run for presidency they can never say you didn’t run your race with honesty and with integrity! You really put up a fight against all the odds that were already stacked against you! You never accepted defeat as an option which says so much about your strength and about your heart. You really wanted better for ALL of us!”
Ariana Grande took to Instagram stories to share a message of comfort, writing, “holding the hand of every person who is feeling the immeasurable heaviness of this outcome today.” The artist also posted an image of LGBTQ+ mental health resources.
Bette Midler shared a quote from H.L. Mencken about the choices political candidates must make, which concludes with “As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”
Jack Antonoff voiced a call for community, saying, “We turn to each other at the best times as we do at the worst times. Our community is alive because we lift and take care of each other. We are not moved by bullshit. When we’re afraid we lean on each other. Right now we are going to do exactly that. We are going to be there for each other.”
He encouraged people to neither be “cynical,” nor keep to themselves: “Go be together. Be around those who do not assume the worst of you. Fight for the rights of oppressed people. Respect the Earth and its creatures. Live with the most dignity and remember that every tiny thing is carried on.”
Jamie Lee Curtis wrote in a lengthy reaction to Trump’s victory, “What it really means is that we wake up and fight. Fight for women and our children and their futures and fight against tyranny, one day at a time. One fight at a time. One protest at a time. That’s what it means to be an American.”
Mary Trump, Trump’s niece and an outspoken critic of his, wrote on X, “I am so deeply sorry. I thought better of us.”
Lili Reinhart shared, “I cannot fathom the feeling of the women who came forward about their sexual assault at the hands of Trump. Seeing millions of people vote for their abuser. My heart absolutely breaks for these women. I believe you, and I am so sorry.”
Christina Applegate was equally direct, writing on X, “Why? Give me your reasons why????? My child is sobbing because her rights as a woman may be taken away. Why? And if you disagree, please unfollow me.”
She later added, “Please unfollow me if you voted against female rights. Against disability rights. Yeah that. Unfollow me because what you did is unreal. Don’t want followers like this. So yeah. Done. Also after today I will be shutting down this fan account that I have had for so many years because this is sick.”
John Cusack tweeted before the race was called, acknowledging that even hope of a Harris victory wasn’t enough. “Harris may well come through Wisconsin Michigan and Pennsylvania — the fact that the country would choose to destroy itself by voting in a convicted felon rapist and Nazi is a sign of deep nihilism To put it mildly,” he wrote.
Rosanne Cash wrote on Threads, “I had an idea of America. I was wrong. But I still love my idea, and maybe I’m only wrong at this moment in history. I may not live long enough to see the full recovery but I’m determined my grandchildren will. Resist what is about to come. I’m with you.”
Wendell Pierce reflected on the future damage this election could have. “Elections have consequences,” he wrote on X. “The Supreme Court will be changed for a generation. I’ll never see a moderate court again in my lifetime. Alito and Thomas will step down and Trump will appoint 40 year old partisans to the bench. The damage he is about to inflict on our institutions the next 2 years will be irreparable.”
Filmmaker Adam McKay posted a lengthy rant on X as it became clear that Trump would take the White House. “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?” McKay wrote.
He added, “Well at least it’s time for the dusty hacks & careerists to spread their feathers wide post election and blame Russia and third party candidates. That should fix things.”
Armando Iannucci retweeted a post from Elon Musk, noting, “Musk reminding us that Trump’s near-total denial of the climate emergency means Earth is now on course to be completely fucked.”
Russell Brand, who has been accused of multiple sexual assaults, took the opposing side, posting on X, “DONALD TRUMP WON.” He added, “The world is about to be a very different place… What does this Trump victory mean for America?”
Ukrainian-born singer and composer Eugene Hütz shared a message of hope and resilience, writing on social media: “when things seem cataclysmic relying on ourselves n relying on each other is the key, source energy of resiliance is located within… one of most precious gifts we have is life-long friendships and it consists of loyalty and empathy.”
King Gizzard shared a statement to Instagram stories. “It’s a sad day for people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, women, those with disabilities,” the Australian rock band wrote. “It’s a sad day for planet Earth, the climate, the soil we grow our food in, the air we fucking breathe.”
“As a band of six white dudes, I acknowledge the privilege that we have. We work really hard to create a community which is inclusive and progressive. We’ll keep fighting for you,” the group continued. “We love you.”