Celebrities React As Donald Trump Declares Victory
A host of celebrities have reacted in vastly differing ways after Donald Trump declared victory in his presidential showdown against Vice President Kamala Harris .
At just after midnight on Wednesday, when former President Trump celebrated the election results, he had been declared the winner of several battleground states. CNN had declared him the victor in Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin remained too close to call, though he held leads in each of those states.
Addressing supporters as the results rolled in, Republican Trump: "This was a movement like nobody's ever seen before, and frankly, this was, I believe, the greatest political movement of all time. There's never been anything like this in this country and maybe beyond, and now it's going to reach a new level of importance because we're going to help our country heal."
Trump touted a "political victory that our country has never seen before" and promised the "golden age" of the United States. He described his voter group as "the most unified coalition," touting his gains among Black and Hispanic voters .
In contrast, Harris campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond announced at about 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday that the Democratic nominee would not be speaking to supporters at her watch party at Howard University in Washington D.C.
As news of Trump's impending victory dominated the news cycle and circulated across social media, a host of celebrities shared their reactions—both in support and against the former real estate mogul's projected return to the White House.
Celebrities Supporting Trump
Elon Musk, who acquired X, formerly Twitter , in 2022 and has been a prominent Trump supporter, took to his platform to declare : "The people of America gave a crystal clear mandate for change tonight."
The billionaire businessman, who campaigned for Trump, also shared a post that read, "Game, set and match" as the Republican edged closer to victory.
Powerhouse podcaster Joe Rogan , who officially endorsed Trump just ahead of the election, shared a video on X of the former president being declared the victor.
He captioned the seconds-long clip: "WHOLE. LEE. S***."
Country musician John Rich celebrated the victory with a brief post on the platform that read: "WE WIN!! Thank you Lord!!"
Comedian Rob Schneider opted to celebrate the win by sharing a photo of the U.S. flag , as he stated: "
In another post, Saturday Night Live alum Schneider commented in Spanish as he responded to a congratulatory X post directed at Trump from El Salvador President Nayib Bukele.
"Thank you, The President!" Schneider wrote. "See you soon! Joining the celebrating celebrities was professional wrestler Eva Marie, who stated: "GOD BLESS AMERICA."
The former WWE star rounded out her post by adding prayer hands emoji flanked by two U.S. flags.
Also backing Trump, former college swimmer Riley Gaines said in an X post : "Everyday for the past three months I've prayed for this country and that God's will be done. This feels like an answered prayer. It's the Year of Jubilee."
In another post, Gaines commented: "We are officially unburdened by what has been. Welcome back, 47."
She also shared another post that simply read "47," in reference to Trump being on track to becoming the 47th president of the U.S.
Trump Detractors Speak Out
While a number of celebrities celebrated Trump's victory declaration, many others who did not support his bid for presidency also spoke out.
As results showed that Trump was on track to win, billionaire business owner Mark Cuban , who has been critical of the former president, congratulated him on X .
"Congrats Cuban wro t e . "You won fair and square. Congrats to as well. #Godspeed."
Anchorman star Christina Applegate took to the platform to express her unhappiness with Trump's win.
"Why? Give me your reasons why?????" Applegate said. "My child is sobbing because her rights as a woman may be taken away. Why? And if you disagree, please unfollow me."
Actor and singer Bette Midler, who has been a frequent critic of Trump over the years, reacted to the result by quoting journalist and essayist H.L. Mencken on X.
The post read: "When a candidate for public office faces the voters he does not face men of sense; he faces a mob of men whose chief distinguishing mark is the fact that they are quite incapable of weighing ideas, or even of comprehending any save the most elemental—men whose whole thinking is done in terms of emotion, and whose dominant emotion is dread of what they cannot understand. So confronted, the candidate must either bark with the pack or be lost...
"All the odds are on the man who is, intrinsically, the most devious and mediocre—the man who can most adeptly disperse the notion that his mind is a virtual vacuum. The Presidency tends, year by year, to go to such men. 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."
General Hospital star Nancy Lee Grahn announced that she would be stepping back from social media in light of Trump's win.
"I have done all I can do," she wrote. "I will be deleting all my social media in protection of my daughter. I'm so sorry. May God help us all."
One Tree Hill star Sophia Bush shared her feelings on the matter when she responded to an X post about Jason Yates , the former CEO of My Faith Votes, who was recently charged with eight counts of possession of pornographic work involving minors under the age of 14.
"Great job giving the MAGA gang more power, America," Bush weighed in . "Wonder how many folks are seeing this and STILL saying, 'But but but at least he's not a Black woman!' in the privacy of their homes tonight. My heart is broken."
Rapper Cardi B took to Instagram to share a video clip showing her sitting with a hand over her face as news coverage of the election could be heard in the background. "I hate y'all bad," read an accompanying caption.
Riverdale star Lili Reinhart referenced the sexual misconduct allegations that have been directed at Trump, as she wrote: "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."
The Millionaire Matchmaker star Patti Stanger shared a flood of X posts in which she criticized the result and charged , without providing supporting evidence, that the voting machines "were hacked."
Referencing Trump's campaign declarations, the TV personality quipped : "Let's see him end the war in Gaza and get those hostages back like he says! Yeah right!"
Stating that she was "beyond upset" with the result, Stanger added: "Young white men f***** women! They voted for Trump as they like him! No other reason!"
