Donald Trump’s Celebrity Fan Club: Who’s In, Who’s Out

As a longtime observer of American politics and popular culture, I’ve noticed an interesting trend when it comes to celebrity endorsements in presidential elections. Joe Biden has had an impressive roster of high-profile supporters from the world of entertainment, while Donald Trump’s list has been more eclectic, to say the least.

Joe Biden has garnered significant support from a star-studded list of celebrities in recent years, including Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lawrence, and George Clooney. These famous endorsers and fundraisers have been vocal about their backing for Biden prior to some setbacks, such as the debate incident. The entertainment industry has long been aligned with the Democrats and is not hesitant to show its support.

I’ve noticed that despite Donald Trump’s extensive time spent in Hollywood, he hasn’t managed to attract much star power to his side. Instead, he’s surrounded by a mix of C- and D-list celebrities. It’s not just Trump, though. Most contemporary Republican presidential candidates seem to lack the major celebrity endorsements, with Ronald Reagan being one of the last exceptions.

Celebrity endorsements may not hold much weight in general, and particularly among Republican voters. However, during nomination conventions, which function as lengthy TV broadcasts, the inclusion of famous faces helps to break up the monotony of political speeches. Trump’s roster of celebrity supporters has historically been limited, occasionally even drawing awkward attention.

Here’s a guide to some of Trump’s current and former celebrity backers:

As a neutral observer, I find Amber Rose’s accomplishments truly remarkable. She has made a name for herself not just in one but multiple industries – rap, modeling, and reality TV. Her speech during the RNC was a standout, garnering praise from many pundits. However, it’s disheartening to see that she faced backlash from both sides.

Dana White: Dana White, the UFC’s influential leader, is set to address the Republican National Convention (RNC) tonight, preceding Donald Trump’s speech. White has spoken at the RNC three times for Trump and their connection dates back to the early 2000s when Trump hosted UFC events at his Atlantic City hotel. In 2016, White expressed that no one believed in UFC except Trump, who recognized its potential and supported their business growth.

Reality star Savannah Chrisley (known from “Chrisley Knows Best”) made headlines this year. Her parents are currently serving time in prison for allegedly defrauding banks and the IRS, creating a shared background with President Trump who has faced similar accusations.

At this year’s convention, you’ll find Chris Janson, a musician known for his country tunes. Some of his popular songs are “All American Guy,” as well as others with titles that evoke a classic country music feel (for instance, “Buy Me a Boat,” “Redneck Life,” and “Flag on the Wall”).

I, as a devoted fan, have observed the unfortunate turn of events in Roseanne Barr’s career. In 2018, she lost her job on the ABC sitcom that bore her name due to a regrettable tweet containing racist language. Since then, she has been vocal in her backing of Trump. Most recently, in April, I saw her upload an online skit where she made accusations against Joe Biden for raping her 26 years ago, intending to satirize Trump accuser E. Jean Carroll’s claims.

As a huge fan of 50 Cent, I can’t help but share this fascinating turn of events. Back in 2020, the rapper briefly expressed his support for Trump on Instagram, defiantly stating, “I don’t care Trump doesn’t like black people. 62 percent are you out of your mind?” However, he soon took back his endorsement and clarified, “F**k Donald Trump, I never liked him.”

Hulk Hogan: Reports surfaced on Thursday that the ex-wrestling legend, previously dismissed by the WWE for making derogatory remarks, is scheduled to address the RNC audience tonight. Additionally, Hogan has been marketing his beer brand, “Real American Beer,” capitalizing on Bud Light’s waning favor among conservatives.

As a seasoned observer of Hollywood and its famous families, I’ve always been intrigued by the dynamic between the Baldwin brothers. Stephen, the youngest among them, made headlines back in 2016 when he endorsed Donald Trump for president. This was quite a surprise, given that his older brother Alec is known for his impersonation of Trump on Saturday Night Live and has been vocal about his political opposition to the former president.

Kid Rock: Kid Rock, the singer, is known for being an ardent supporter of Donald Trump. He was among the first celebrities to endorse him and even paid a visit to the White House in 2018. As reported by Rolling Stone, his concerts now bear a striking resemblance to Trump rallies. In an interview with the publication, he admitted that taking such a stance could potentially harm his career. “I knew it could be a risky move,” he said. “But I believed there were plenty of people who shared my views. You think I’m a Trump fan because I find him pleasant? I don’t elect leaders based on their moral compass. What I want is a winner – someone who knows how to get things done, even if it means bending the rules a little.”

Lil Wayne: The rapper voiced his support for Trump in 2020, specifically due to Trump’s criminal justice reform efforts. So its perhaps ironic that one of Trump’s final acts before leaving office was to issue a presidential pardon for Lil Wayne, keeping him out of prison for a firearm charge

Stacey Dash, known for her role in “Clueless,” strongly supported Trump during the 2016 election but later changed her stance in 2021 following the events of January 6th. She expressed her disappointment, stating, “I unequivocally condemn any form of senseless violence. The actions on Jan. 6 were shocking and foolish. I hold regrets for certain statements I made, which came across as arrogant, proud, and angry.”

Scott Baio, previously known for his role on “Happy Days,” addressed the crowd at the 2016 Republican National Convention in favor of Trump. Since then, he has remained out of public view.

Omarosa Manigault Newman, a well-known contestant on “The Apprentice,” went beyond expectations for any celebrity in Trump’s circle. She secured positions in Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and later joined his White House staff, but she left in 2017. Subsequently, she spoke out against Trump and claimed he had used racially insensitive language in her 2018 memoir titled “Unhinged.” According to her, “Donald Trump is undeniably a racist, and he’s threatening our democratic institutions.”

*Kidding. He moved to a condo in Florida last year, which is almost the same as vanishing.

2024-07-18 20:25

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