Celebrities Fall Silent on Trump as 1st-Term Resistance Gives Way to Backlash
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 28
Celebrities Fall Silent on Trump as 1st-Term Resistance Gives Way to Backlash
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 28
Summary
Prominent celebrities who once openly denounced Donald Trump have largely stopped speaking out against his administration, with the shift framed as a sign of a less-free political climate.
Last year, Selena Gomez deleted an Instagram post criticizing immigration policy after a wave of online abuse, while awards shows and even “Saturday Night Live” have largely avoided direct anti-Trump political messaging.
The pullback comes as public figures and media voices face sharper consequences: Don Lemon spent a night in jail, “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” ended, and “60 Minutes” has been shaken by allegations of political interference.
Jennifer Lawrence told The New York Times that celebrity political speech does not change votes and may only inflame division, a view the article suggests many peers now share.
The contrast with Trump’s first term—when mocking him was common and often rewarding—underscores how backlash and pressure have muted parts of the celebrity resistance.