politics
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Rihanna has the presidential election on the brain — and she’s clapping right back at anyone who disagrees with her.
After the Fenty mogul, who was encouraging her followers to vote, joked on Instagram Monday (Nov. 4) about wanting to “sneak into the polls” to vote using her son’s American passport, some detractors took aim at Ri — who is a citizen of Barbados — in the comments. But as usual, the “Stay” singer got the last word, replying to several trolls with biting comebacks.
To someone who wrote that Ri “shouldn’t be posting [her] political opinions” and should instead “stick to music sis,” for instance, the billionaire businesswoman replied with a reference to the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, “Where were you in Jan 6 sis? Stick to your discounted crotch. We out here fighting for its rights!”
When another person wrote that Rihanna “should be arrested” for “illegal voting,” the nine-time Grammy winner simply commented in response, “shut up Karen.”
“you’re f–ked! And so is the America you dream of,” Ri added to someone who wrote that they’d voted for Republican nominee Donald Trump as “abortions are probably nowhere near as important as y’all are making it seem.”
Rihanna’s original post came one day ahead of the Nov. 5 presidential election. In it, the star — one of countless other superstar musicians — appears to be backing Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. Along with a video of herself staring out the window of a moving car, the “Diamonds” musician captioned the clip “when protecting p–sies and firing p–sies can happen all in one vote” and added the hashtags “#votecauseicant” and “#tansuitseason,” the latter of which appears to be in reference to the VP’s viral outfit at the Democratic National Convention in August.
And though Ri is proud to be from her home country in the Carribean — “I LOVE my Bajan passport! I came here to work and pay taxes! You’re welcome,” she explained in another comment — the artist is invested in the 2024 presidential race. As she alluded to in her post, Ri is mom to two American sons, 2-year-old RZA and 9-month-old Riot Rose, whom she shares with A$AP Rocky.
And to one fan who jokingly asked whether Ri had indeed made it into the polls, she replied, “not yet sis! But I’m sleeping outside to make sure the navy shows up.”
See Rihanna’s post below.
As part of his closing argument to voters on Monday (Nov. 4), former President Donald Trump took yet another shot at Beyoncé for the R&B superstar’s support of rival Kamala Harris. While the current Vice President was headlining a star-studded event in Philadelphia with the likes of Lady Gaga, Oprah Winfrey, Ricky Martin and hometown heroes the Roots, Trump once again hit out at a recent appearance by Queen Bey at a Harris rally in the singer’s hometown of Houston.
“Everyone’s expecting a couple of songs, and there were no songs,” Trump, 78, claimed about the Oct. 25 event where the 32-time Grammy winner appeared with her Destiny’s Child bandmate Kelly Rowland to urge Texans to support the Harris/Walz ticket on election day (Nov. 5). “There was no happiness. It’s just like, ‘give me my check. I want to get out of here,’” Trump claimed about Beyoncé’s appearance.
At the rally last month, the singer joyfully voiced her backing for Harris, saying, “We are so happy to be standing here on this stage as proud, country, Texas women supporting and celebrating the one and only Vice President Kamala Harris. A woman who’s been pushing for what this country really needs right now: unity. It’s impossible not to feel the energy in this room, the positivity, the community, the humanity. We are at the precipice of an incredible shift. The brink of history.”
She added, “I’m not here as a celebrity. I’m not here as a politician. I’m here as a mother. A mother who cares, deeply, about the world my children and all of our children live in. A world where we have the freedom to control our bodies. A world where we’re not divided. Our past, our present, our future merge to meet us here.”
In addition to boosting Harris in Houston, Beyoncé gave the campaign direct approval to use her 2016 song “Freedom” as its campaign song. Bey’s camp later sent a cease-and-desist to the Trump campaign for featuring “Freedom” in a social media campaign video from a spokesperson; that video was later taken down in the latest example of a musician asking Trump to stop using their music for his campaign.
On Monday in the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania, Trump also brushed off the lack of star power at his recent events in comparison to the many A-list actors and musicians who’ve lined up behind the Vice President, adding, “Just to bring it back into seriousness, we don’t need a star because we have policy.” His event was warmed up by former Democrat U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, conservative commentator Megyn Kelly — whom Trump insulted with a crude, sexist remark about menstruation after she moderated a 2015 presidential debate — and the son of late baseball legend Robert Clemente Jr.
Though he has repeatedly said celebrity support doesn’t matter, Trump’s campaign has welcomed endorsements by country singers Jason Aldean and Billy Ray Cyrus, as well as Amber Rose, former reality star Savannah Chrisley, Caitlyn Jenner, Kid Rock, Dr. Phil, Elon Musk, Azealia Banks, Kanye West, Joe Rogan and Lil Pump.
He has seemed particularly peeved by Beyoncé’s support for Harris, whose campaign has rolled up a galaxy of A-list supporters over the past few months, including Taylor Swift, Cardi B, Eminem, Scarlett Johansson, Ricky Martin, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Bad Bunny, Harrison Ford, Cher, Usher, Olivia Rodrigo, Madonna, Kesha, Billie Eilish, Bruce Springsteen, Charli XCX and many more.
A week after Beyoncé’s Houston speech, Trump took to the stage in Green Bay, WI dressed as a garbage man, where he again stressed that he didn’t need help from celebrities. “Four nights ago they got Beyoncé… uhhhh Beyoncé,” he said, pausing while audience appeared to boo the singer. “They got Beyoncé,” he repeated. “We don’t need Beyoncé, we don’t need anybody… all you got is me, and I don’t have a guitar.”
The Harris campaign never announced that Beyoncé was expected to sing in Houston and at the Green Bay event, though Trump added, “Ladies and gentlemen, they said Beyoncé’s coming to sing and she came but she didn’t sing. And then Kamala came on as Beyoncé was leaving without singing even one song and they booed the hell out of both of them”; there is no evidence to support Trump’s claim that the 30,000-plus Harris supporters booed Beyoncé’s appearance.
According to pollsters, Trump and Harris are in a neck-and-neck race, with most predicting that results may not be finalized as soon as voting ends on Tuesday night. If you are not sure where your polling place is, click here to find out.
Watch Trump’s comments about Beyoncé in Pittsburgh below.
Lady Gaga gave her closing argument for electing Kamala Harris President on Monday night (Nov. 4) at an epic rally for the Vice President who is vying to become the nation’s first female commander-in-chief. The singer took the stage in Philadelphia on the eve of Tuesday’s (Nov. 5) election day with a crucial message about the nation’s future and a poignant song choice to drive that point home.
“For more than half of this country’s life, women didn’t have a voice,” Gaga, seat at a piano, said after performing Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America” in her introductory performance before Harris took the stage just before midnight at the star-studded last rally of her historic campaign. “Yet we raised children. We held our families together. We supported men as they made the decisions. But tomorrow, women will be a part of making this decision,” Gaga continued at the event where she later performed her hit “Edge of Glory” for the 30,000 supporters gathered in the cold at the base of the famous Rocky steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
“Today I am holding in my heart all the tough, tenacious women who made me who I am. I cast my vote for someone who will be a president for all Americans,” Gaga said while speaking to voters in the all-important swing state that could hold the key to victory for Harris — or for rival Donald Trump. “And now, Pennsylvania, it’s your turn. The country is depending on you. So tomorrow make sure all your voices are heard. Come on, let’s go!” she added before introducing Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.
The “Vote For Freedom” event hosted by DJ Cassidy — who famously also was behind the decks for the musical DNC roll call this summer — also included the Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am performing his new song for Harris, “YES SHE CAN,” as the Democratic candidate asked the gathered crowd, “Are we ready to vote? Are we ready to win?” The roster of guests stumping for Harris also included DJ Jazzy Jeff, Fat Joe and Oprah Winfrey, as well as Ricky Martin, Jazmine Sullivan, Andra Day, DJ D-Nice, the Roots, while twice impeached former President Trump made his final pitch in Pittsburgh.
Sullivan made it personal during a cover of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” telling the crowd, “they’re trying to take away our reproductive freedom. What’ goin’ right now?” In the wake of announcing his support for Harris after a recent Trump rally in New York where a warm-up comedian referred to Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage,” P.R. native Martin fronted a big band for a run through his signature song “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” He also had a poignant message for voters: “Kamala Harris is for us,” he said. “She’s for unity, she’s for all Americans.”
Martin was introduced by Fat Joe, who said he came to represent Puerto Ricans as well. “Kamala Harris is for us. She’s for unity, she’s for all Americans – Black, white, big, small, Latino, you name it,” he said. “She’s for us. One thing I won’t do is sell my soul for anybody. If I’m out here telling you she’s the one, it’s because I know she’s the one.”
With parallel satellite gatherings in the swing states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona and N. Carolina, the hourslong livestream also had Harris jumping over to Pittsburgh, where Katy Perry played a set of hits, while James Taylor entertained the crowd in Raleigh, N.C. with, naturally, “Carolina On My Mind” as well as “Something in the Way She Moves”; Fantasia, Sugarland and Remi Wolf were also on hand in Raleigh. Jon Bon Jovi beamed in from Michigan to perform the Bon Jovi classic “Living on a Prayer” with The War and Treaty, as well as teaming up for their new song, “The People’s House.”
In addition, 2 Chainz, Keyshia Cole, Anthony Hamilton and Ciara took the stage in Atlanta.
Christina Aguilera was the headliner at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas — along with regional Mexican band Los Tigres Del Norte and dance duo Sofi Tukker — telling the crowd, “Tonight, I’m here in honor of the people who have fought to give us the privilege to be heard. Let’s raise our voices and vote for freedom,” before performing her 2002 single “Fighter,” according to USA Today. Xtina also gave the crowd her power ballad “Beautiful” and her Pitbull collab, “Feel This Moment.”
Before exiting to her campaign’s theme song, Beyoncé’s “Freedom,” Harris told the enthusiastic crowd, “We started this fight 107 days ago. And it has not been a fight against something, but a fight for something. It’s about our love for our country, and our faith in a future that we will build together with energy and joy … Generations of Americans have led the fight for freedom. And now the baton is in our hands.”
Watch highlights from Monday night’s events here and check out footage of Gaga’s “Edge of Glory” at Harris campaign event below, as well as performances from Aguilera and Perry.
.@ladygaga endorses Kamala Harris: “Today, I’m holding in my heart all the tough, tenacious women who made me who I am. I cast my vote for someone who will be a president for all Americans. Tomorrow, let’s make sure all your voices are heard” pic.twitter.com/utTBhpIHIU— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) November 5, 2024
.@KatyPerry endorses Kamala Harris: “Four years ago, I became a mother… She is the reason I am voting for Kamala Harris. I know she will protect my daughter’s future and your children’s future” pic.twitter.com/P0hVeUnUuz— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) November 5, 2024
It’s the night before Election Day, and Katy Perry is putting her support behind Kamala Harris for president as she took the stage at the Vice President and Democratic candidate’s Pittsburgh rally on Monday night (Nov. 4). Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news She performed a series […]
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As the presidential election comes to a close, the contrast between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s campaigns is sharper and revealing.
In the final days before Election Day this Tuesday (November 5), the presidential campaigns for Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are making their cases to go to the White House – but the styles and messages couldn’t be more sharply contrasted. For Trump, his campaign has become one that is playing to the grievances and reactions of his base in a loose manner.
One key example was seen at a rally outside of Lancaster, Pennsylvania over the weekend where he referenced the attempt on his life there over the summer while observing the bulletproof glass at the podium. “To get me, somebody would have to shoot through the fake news,” he said. “And I don’t mind that so much.” His campaign spokesman, Steven Cheung, would defend the remark as Trump’s concern for the media, “looking out for their welfare, far more than his own!”
For Vice President Harris, her message has been cautious and steady but tinged with joy and inclusiveness. A highlight of her whirlwind ground game was her appearance on Saturday Night Live in the show’s opening segment with Emmy Award-winning actress Maya Rudolph, who’s been portraying her on the show.
While the segment got rave reviews, it is also a brief detour from her strict schedule thus far with key appearances in the battleground states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. “We’re doing everything we need to do,” one Harris staffer said to the press. “We’re doing literally everything we can possibly do to reach voters.”
Observers have noted the difference between the two. “I never heard her say nothing on TV that seems crazy,” Philadelphia native Deshaun Hall said in an interview with NBC News.“But the side effect to that is you don’t feel like you know who she is.”
As for Trump, strategists have noted that his style of being more aggressive in campaigning might’ve backfired, particularly with the controversial rally held at Madison Square Garden a week ago.
That and other comments have offended many, which Republican strategist Rob Godfrey says benefits Harris: “Those things are a less-disciplined opponent, who has reminded people of some of what they remember less fondly about him, and an all-star lineup of surrogates who carry her message better, in some cases, than she does.”
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With the election polls essentially locked in a tie between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump, pop superstar Billie Eilish is doing what she can to move the needle. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news During her Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour Stop in […]
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Last Week Tonight With John Oliver concluded its Sunday (November 3) broadcast by reminding viewers that it was the show’s final episode ahead of Election Day this coming Tuesday. In an impassioned and tearful plea, John Oliver urged the public to get out and vote for Vice President Kamala Harris citing the presidential hopeful’s policy plans.
John Oliver, who has been vocally critical of Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance, began his closing monologue Last Week Tonight mentioning how the race is currently too close to call despite the recent Madison Square Garden rally where racist comments and jokes were delivered along with gaffes made by Trump while on the campaign trail.
While much of the monologue was a takedown of the Trump-Vance campaign from a comical angle, Oliver did illustrate how a Trump-Vance administration would put into power individuals such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who would oversee health policies according to Trump despite his controversial takes.
Oliver was clear in noting that the race is close as it is due to Harris herself and the connections to President Joe Biden, the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine, and the culture wars here in the States. However, the host said that despite this, he is casting a vote for Kamala Harris in hopes that if she wins, the next four years can bring about effective change.
Check out the monologue from John Oliver below.
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The political stage got a little more heated this weekend when Cardi B fired back at Elon Musk over his remarks about her appearance at a Harris for President rally in Milwaukee on Nov. 1.
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The billionaire businessman called the rapper a “puppet,” alleging that Cardi was being “fed words” during her speech at a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris. Cardi, known for her no-holds-barred responses, didn’t hold back.
Musk’s remarks surfaced after he shared a video clip of Cardi B’s appearance at the Democratic rally at the Wisconsin State Fair Exposition Center, where she spoke on behalf of the Harris-Walz ticket.
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Captioning the post, Musk commented, “Another puppet who can’t even talk without being fed the words. The Kamala campaign has no authenticity or true empathy.”
The Grammy-winning rapper quickly responded with her own message on X, dismissing Musk’s claims and directly challenging his knowledge about struggles faced by many Americans.
“I’m not a puppet, Elon,” she wrote. “I’m a daughter of two immigrant parents that had to work their a** off to provide for me! I’m a product of welfare, I’m a product of section 8, I’m a product of poverty, and I’m a product of what happens when the system is set up against you.” She added pointedly, “But you don’t know nothing about that. You don’t know not one thing about the American struggle.”
In typical Cardi fashion, she capped off her response with: “PS fix my algorithm.”
Cardi’s speech at the rally, which lasted around ten minutes, highlighted her reasons for supporting Harris and her frustration with Trump’s policies, particularly regarding women’s rights and economic inequality.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life,” Cardi told the crowd, reading from her cell phone after her teleprompter faced issues. “I take seriously the call to show up, to speak out, and to share a message that’s been on my heart for a while now.”
She continued, “Like Kamala Harris, I’ve been the underdog, underestimated, and had my success belittled. Women have to work ten times harder and still face questions about how we achieved success. I can’t stand a bully, but just like Kamala, I always stand up to one.”
Expressing her admiration for Harris, Cardi shared that she hadn’t initially intended to support any candidate, but Harris changed her mind.
“I didn’t have faith in any candidates until she joined and spoke the words I wanted to hear about the future of this country,” she explained. “I believe every word she says. She’s passionate, compassionate, empathetic, and most importantly, she’s realistic.”
The rapper also took the opportunity to address her concerns about Trump, whom she labeled a “hustler.”
“Hustling women out of their rights is disgraceful. Hustling Americans out of their hard-earned money by selling Trump watches, Trump sneakers, Trump Bibles… do we really trust this man with our economy? A man who only cares about getting rich and cutting taxes for his billionaire friends. I don’t even get a tax cut.”
Following the rally, Cardi continued her support for Harris and critique of Trump on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Donald Trump talks about having plans, but the only plan he has is to hustle YOU.”
Kamala Harris made a surprise appearance during Saturday Night Live on Nov. 2.
With Election Day just around the corner, the vice president stopped by Studio 8H during the cold open of the episode, hosted by comedian John Mulaney.
Harris joined SNL cast member Maya Rudolph, known for her spot-on impression of the Democratic presidential nominee during the show’s 50th season, in a hilarious opening sketch.
Saturday’s episode launched with a parody of CNN, featuring Chloe Fineman as anchor Kaitlan Collins, who reports on a rally with former President Donald Trump (played by James Austin Johnson) and his running mate J.D. Vance (Bowen Yang). The scene then shifts to a conversation in Pennsylvania involving Rudolph’s Harris, Andy Samberg’s Doug Emhoff, Jim Gaffigan’s Tim Walz, and Dana Carvey’s Joe Biden.
Rudolph’s Harris later steps aside to prepare for her campaign speech, saying, “Well, this is it, the last campaign stop in Pennsylvania. Gosh, I just wish I could talk to someone who’s been in my shoes — a Black South Asian woman running for president, preferably from the Bay Area.”
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She then sits down and looks into a mirror, where the real Kamala Harris is reflected back at her. “It’s nice to see you, Kamala,” the actual vice president says. “I’m just here to remind you that you got this because you can do something your opponent cannot: open doors.”
Rudolph delivers her signature Kamala laugh, saying, “Now Kamala, take my palm-ala.” The two then start finishing each other’s sentences: “The American people want to stop the chaos and end the drama-ala with a cool new step-mamala. Look, let’s get back in our pajamas and watch a rom-Kamala, like Legally Blonde-ala. And start decorating for Christmas, Fa-la-la-la-la.”
In other highlights from the Nov. 2 episode, Mulaney returned as host for the sixth time, while musical guest Chappell Roan made her debut, performing “Pink Pony Club” and premiering a new country song titled “The Giver.”
Watch SNL‘s “2024 Pre-Election Cold Open” sketch below. For those without cable, the broadcast streams on Peacock, which you can sign up for at the link here. Having a Peacock account also gives fans access to previous SNL episodes.
Bruce Springsteen is hoping to inspire voters in a new advertisement for the Harris-Walz campaign.
On Friday (Nov. 1), just days before the 2024 U.S. presidential election, the Boss shared a minute-long video featuring his late October appearance during a rally for the vice president and Democratic presidential nominee at Temple University’s Liacouras Center in Philadelphia.
In the clip, titled “Hopes and Dreams” (a reference to his 2001 song “Land of Hope and Dreams”), Springsteen criticizes Donald Trump and explains why Americans should support Harris and Halz on Election Day this Tuesday.
“This election is about a group of folks who want to fundamentally undermine our American way of life. Donald Trump does not understand this country, its history, or what it means to be deeply American,” Springsteen tells the Pennsylvania crowd. “I want a president who reveres the Constitution, who wants to protect and guide our great democracy, who believes in the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power, who will fight for women’s rights and a woman’s right to choose, and who wants to create a middle class economy that serves all our citizens.”
The iconic singer-songwriter adds, “There’s only one candidate who holds those principles dear, that’s Kamala Harris. At thats’ why on Nov. 5, I’m casting my vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. I urge all of you who believe in the American way to join me.”
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At the rally in Pennsylvania on Oct. 28, Springsteen shared the stage with fellow musician John Legend, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey, and former President Barack Obama.
The E Street rocker launched his three-song acoustic set with a rendition of his 1978 single “The Promised Land,” followed by a performance of “Land of Hope and Dreams.” He closed the set with “Dancing in the Dark,” which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1984, making it the highest-charting song of his career.
The Boss’s appearance at the Philadelphia rally came just days after he joined Harris’s rally in Georgia, where he told supporters that while the current VP is “running to be the 47th president of the United States, Donald Trump is running to be an American tyrant.”
Watch Springsteen’s “Hopes and Dreams” Harris-Walz campaign ad below.