Donald Trump's triumph over Kamala Harris has reverberated globally, eliciting a mix of dismay and outrage from celebrities and social media users alike. Here are some of the most striking, unsettling, and occasionally darkly humorous reactions:
UK TV's Countdown word expert and esteemed lexicographer Susie Dent aptly captured the prevailing sentiment on X yesterday with her word of the day: “Recrudescence” (17th century), meaning the resurgence of something dreadful after a period of respite.
Mark Hamill, the Star Wars actor and a vocal critic of Trump, somberly remarked: “They say we get the leaders we deserve. Either that has just been disproven, or this is not the America we all thought we were living in.”
Jamie Lee Curtis took to Instagram to express her concerns, predicting “a more restrictive, some fear draconian time.” She emphasized that “many fear their rights will be impeded and denied. Many, minority groups and young people will be afraid. Gay and trans people will be more afraid. We know that many women will now find it difficult to get the reproductive healthcare that they need and deserve. For all those people there will be those who will help you. Me included.”
Singer Billie Eilish declared on her Instagram story, “It’s a war on women,” while film director Duncan Jones, son of David Bowie, shared his feeling of “very Brexity” pessimism over the millions who voted for Trump: “I think we may have overestimated the goodness in people.”
Frequent Trump critic Jack White commented: “Americans chose a known, obvious fascist and now America will get whatever this wannabe dictator wants to enact from here on in.”
Renowned author Philip Pullman succinctly stated, “Goodbye, America. It was nice knowing you.” Similarly, Stephen King mused: “There’s a sign you can see in many shops that sell beautiful but fragile items: LOVELY TO LOOK AT, DELIGHTFUL TO HOLD, BUT ONCE YOU BREAK IT, THEN IT’S SOLD. You can say the same about democracy.”
Band members of Lambrini Girls discussed Trump's victory, stating: “GM. We are all totally fucked. The fact that society would rather a rapist run one of the world's superpowers opposed to a woman is testament to that in itself. Fascism is here and it’s crucial to engage politically, now more than ever. Where’s Guy Fawkes when you need him.”
The singers also shared an Instagram post noting: “Fascism wins every time in America. Neither party is standing up for us. If that be in the US or here in the UK. We are far from immune from the ramifications of this.”
Actor John Cusack commented, “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,” while Donald Trump’s estranged niece Mary L Trump, an outspoken critic of her uncle, posted a message that seemed to encapsulate the thoughts of disappointed voters: “I am so deeply sorry. I thought better of us.”
Perhaps the most poignant celebrity message was: “Goodbye, America. Never speak to Me again.”
Elsewhere online, social media users were also vocal. One claimed: “If you think that this is ANYTHING other than misogyny at play you're lying to yourself.” Another posted a meme depicting “how it feels watching American elections these days” as a Canadian, with the options being ‘Everyone gets a puppy’ and ‘Diarrhoea forever’.
One user posted an image of the January 6 riots and wrote: “It's unbelievable that this wasn't the end for him.” Another shared a satirical take on how America voted: “Being British is wanting to move to America as a child then thinking 'fuck that' as an adult.”
To conclude on a slightly more positive note, let's revisit the celebrities with electro artist Moby, who offered some advice for his followers after Trump's reelection: “It’s not going to benefit anybody to doomscroll and watch the news and constantly just spiral down into depression… So it might sound like a new age cliché, but we have to practice self care, we have to eat well and exercise and spend time with people we love and help animals and do anything that keeps us sane and healthy.”
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