Pop star and entrepreneur Rihanna has entered a public discussion regarding the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, asserting that individuals who abstained from voting share equal culpability for Donald Trump’s second-term victory alongside his active supporters.
The discussion originated during a Monday appearance by commentator Joy Reid on the “Forward” podcast hosted by journalist Charles M. Blow. During the interview, Reid contended that Trump’s re-election reflects the deeper aspirations of the nation, remarking that the political outcome represents what America deserved.
An excerpt from the podcast discussion circulated widely online and was featured by digital entertainment platforms, drawing commentary from numerous social media users. One prominent comment that accumulated more than 13,000 likes argued that voters who supported Trump were responsible for the outcome, calling the result disgusting. Rihanna responded directly to that sentiment, adding her perspective on electoral participation: “And believe it or not, those who didn’t vote at all also did this!”
The exchange highlights a broader history of public friction between the Grammy-winning musician and Donald Trump. Rihanna has previously voiced sharp opposition to the politician and his political base. In 2020, she shared imagery of herself standing next to anti-Trump graffiti ahead of the general election. Following the January 2021 inauguration of President Joe Biden, she posted photographs depicting herself disposing of trash while wearing a T-shirt bearing an anti-racism slogan.
Tensions between the two figures have also involved direct criticism from Trump. Following Rihanna’s headline performance during the Super Bowl LVII halftime show in 2023, the former president issued harsh assessments on social media, characterizing her performance negatively and alleging that she had insulted a significant portion of the country.
