By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Celebrities have expressed a range of reactions to Donald Trump’s re-election, from anger and disappointment to a sense of impending doom. Some, like Cardi B and Christina Applegate, are concerned about the implications for women’s rights, while others, like Adam McKay and Wendell Pierce, are critical of the Democratic party and warn of the consequences for the Supreme Court and the country’s future. Many, including Jamie Lee Curtis and Stephen King, emphasize the need for resistance and activism, while others, like Duncan Jones and Philip Pullman, express a sense of despair and disillusionment with the state of American democracy.
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The election of Donald Trump in 2016 sent shockwaves through Hollywood, with many celebrities expressing their dismay and even vowing to leave the country if he won. Now, as the 2024 election approaches, a similar sentiment is emerging among some in the entertainment industry, with a growing chorus of voices declaring “Goodbye, America” if Trump is re-elected.
While some celebrities have taken a more measured approach, emphasizing their support for specific policies or candidates, others have unleashed a torrent of frustration and anger, denouncing Trump’s policies and rhetoric. They see his win as a sign of societal decline, a rejection of their values, and a threat to their own privileged lifestyles.
The frustration is particularly directed at the Democratic Party, with accusations of strategic blunders and a disconnect from the working class. The focus on “boutique progressive social causes” and the reliance on celebrity endorsements are seen as alienating ordinary voters. The Democratic Party’s embrace of war criminals and Republicans is also a point of contention, fueling the sense that the party has lost its way.
The notion that celebrities are out of touch with the everyday struggles of the working class is a recurring theme. The outrage over Trump’s victory is seen as an example of their detachment from the realities of ordinary Americans. Their focus on issues like climate change and social justice is often dismissed as irrelevant to the concerns of those grappling with rising costs of living and stagnant wages.
The criticism goes beyond the content of their political messages, with many pointing to the hypocrisy of their pronouncements. Celebrities are accused of using their platform to lecture others while remaining insulated from the consequences of their own political choices. Their pronouncements are viewed as self-serving and performative, a way to maintain their image and cultivate their own sense of virtue.
Despite the anger and frustration, there’s a sense of inevitability in these pronouncements. The celebrities who vow to leave the country, or who declare their despair with America, are unlikely to follow through on their threats. Their pronouncements are largely performative, a way to express their displeasure without actually altering their own lives.
This disconnect between rhetoric and action only reinforces the perception of celebrities as out of touch and self-absorbed. Their political pronouncements, while sometimes well-intentioned, are ultimately seen as irrelevant and lacking in genuine impact. The 2024 election, like its predecessors, is likely to continue this trend, with celebrities continuing to offer their opinions and pronouncements while remaining largely detached from the real-world consequences of the outcome.