As shocking as it may be, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, Donald Trump was reelected as President of the United States.
While many are still trying to come to terms with what the next four years will look like, Vice President Kamala Harris’ loss, and what this means for them as individuals—Hollywood heavy-hitters are also weighing in and expressing their disappointment, dismay and despair at the results.
From LeBron James to Spike Lee to Cardi B—let’s take a look at what they’re saying.
“I have friends on the right, I have friends on the left, I have friends who are independent. And regardless of who all decided to vote for yesterday, guess what? Donald Trump is now all of our president, again. I don’t wanna fight anyone, I don’t want to argue with anyone because at the end of the day: we are all Americans. We all want what’s best for this country, I hope,” Charlamgane said in part before going on to say that America got the president it deserved on Wednesday morning’s episode of “The Breakfast Club.”
In a post to Instagram, Emmy-winning actress Niecy Nash-Betts, wrote: “With deep admiration and profound respect I sincerely THANK YOU Madame Vice President @vp. You have made us unbelievably proud! May we continue the fight carrying your wisdom, brilliance, determination, and joy in our hearts and mind.”
In a post to Instagram, musician and Oscar-winning director Questlove expressed his thoughts by reposting a video of made by Isaac Hayes III breaking down the voter turn out by each party. In his caption, Questlove said he didn’t know what to do or how to move forward but held space for those feeling rage and despair:
Nothing much to say. Imma get through this day and be as present as possible. Not gonna let past traumas freeze me. Won’t obsessively future doom/gloom. I don’t think feeding my fear is wise (news cycle). Deep breathing and silence is the order of the day. Many of yall might be tempted to finger point and target and rant. And I can’t stop you from doing so, cause the rage is real too. Channel and express that rage righteously and in a safe way.
For many of us living with this trauma was an everyday thing (especially me trying to navigate safety in West Philadelphia in the late 70s & 80s) ———the irony of fight or flighting my way to “safety” just for that sunken feeling you feel right now?—-to make a grand return like a mid sitcom reboot I didn’t ask for. Welp here we are now.
In a post to Instagram, acclaimed director Spike Lee reposted the wise words of the late author Toni Morrison who said back in 2004:
“This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.”
In a series of tweets, WNBA star Angel Reese expressed her disappointment with the election results writing:
“I’m so disappointed in America….Some of you just couldn’t selfishly put your pride aside huh??!?!? As a woman, i’m heartbroken for us all. God is the best author and the best finisher. I’m just going to pray on this & think positive.”
In a post to her official X/Twitter and Instagram page, Cardi B. shouted out the VP for her efforts in the presidential race captioning her post by saying: “No need to nasty, y’all picked your winner…All we can do is be hopeful and wish the best. Before Kamala joined the race, we knew how this country is set up and what was probably going to happen but it was so inspiring how she fought and changed so many minds, including mine.”
“Heavy on my heart and mind this AM my princess,” the NBA superstar wrote on Instagram, referring to his 10-year-old daughter Zhuri. “Promise to protect you with everything I have and more!! We don’t need their help.”
In a video to Instagram, rapper Plies posted a check-in video to all his fans and followers to help keep spirits up, writing in the caption:
“Definitely Want To Get On Here & Check On Y’all & Make Sure Y’all Was Good!! Regardless Of How U May Feel At The Moment Just Know God Don’t Make Mistakes! He Has A Plan & His Plan I’ll Never Second Guess!! Continue To Stand For The Things U Believe In Your Heart Are Right! Never Waver B/c I Know I Won’t! Love Ya.”
“Donald Trump will self destruct. And those that he appealed to, the dark side, will self destruct. The question is: what will you and I do that believe in things that are right and righteous and democratic?” Sharpton said in part, in a video to Instagram shortly after Trump was announced as president before encouraging viewers to press on in the fight for rights. “Let’s not act like we didn’t have to fight to move the country forward in the first place; that we didn’t have to stand against strong headwinds; that we didn’t have to survives some strong fights.”
He continued:
That’s what got us civil rights, and voting rights, and labor rights, and women’s rights and LGBTQ rights. All of those rights were fought for and won with hard fights. And maybe we forgot how to fight some of us. Some of us felt thatr was yesterday, Well, it appears yesterday could be today. So you better gird up your loins, let’s see what you got.
He went on to say that while he was disappointed, he wasn’t in despair and said he would continue to fight and encouraged others to keep fighting as well.
Posting an audio excerpt from her father Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “We Shall Overcome” speech from 1965 to X/Twitter, Bernice King indirectly referenced the election and the feelings of dismay many were feeling, writing in the post:
If I could embrace each of you who are facing being more vulnerable with less rights, I would. These words from my father encourage me to look up and to keep fighting for freedom, democracy, and a world where injustice ceases and love prevails. Maybe you’ll find them helpful and a source of hope.
In a series of lengthy tweets, veteran actor and thespian Wendell Pierce shared his thoughts on the election, describing its results to be centered around “the great replacement. A reaction to the society changing around them. The ultimate protection of white privilege.” He also expressed that it was never about true issues and warned of various problems that he feels will arise now as a result. He concluded by saying that American’s support of Trump and his status as a convicted felon and all his espousals of racism, misogyny and others deplorable things “says everything about our society. We absolved this behavior by electing him. A celebration of criminality.”
In a post to X/Twitter, “Real Housewives of Potomac” star and author Dr. Wendy Osefo wrote: “And when Black people say, ‘We have to be twice as good to get half’ this is EXACTLY what we mean. America, you did not surprise me, you just showed us who you really are.”
In a post to Instagram, Oscar-nominated actor Colman Domingo posted a short video for his followers in an attempt to bring some reprieve, captioning the post:
“A little art that I made during tough times. To lift us all. Keeping our head towards the sky. Keeping a song in your heart. Enjoy with your morning coffee and get back out in the world undaunted. I love you.”
In a simple post to her Instagram stories, 2024 Root 100 honoree Ledisi wrote: “Hold onto your peace, that’s all I got today.”
