As the news of Donald Trump’s presidential win sinks in around the world, famous names across film, TV, music and science are sharing their reactions on social media.
Trump, who will become the first convicted felon to serve as president of the United States, beat Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in the race. As it stands, he has received over 71 million votes and won 277 electoral votes, compared to Harris’s 224.
So which celebrities have responded to Trump’s win — and what have they said?
Jamie Lee Curtis
Taking to Instagram, the Academy Award-winning actress expressed her concerns regarding Trump’s win to her 6 million followers. “It means a sure return to a far more restrictive, some fear draconian time. Many fear their rights will be impeded and denied,” the 65-year-old wrote. “Many, minority groups and young people will be afraid. Gay and trans people will be more afraid. We know that many women will now find it difficult to get the reproductive healthcare that they need and deserve. For all those people there will be those who will help you. Me included.”
Curtis went on to encourage her followers to “wake up and fight”, albeit “one protest at a time”.
Elon Musk
Although he endorsed the Democratic Party in the 2016 and 2020 elections, Tesla CEO and billionaire Musk became a fevered supporter of the 2024 Trump campaign after hitting out at President Biden several times during his presidency.
The 53-year-old, and world’s richest man, posted his response to Trump’s lead and projected victory on X, of which he is CEO. “The people of America gave @realDonaldTrump a crystal clear mandate for change tonight,” Musk wrote. “The future is gonna be fantastic,” he followed up, accompanied with an image of SpaceX’s Starship.
The future is gonna be fantastic pic.twitter.com/I46tFsHxs3
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 6, 2024
Musk is reported to have spent election night with Mr Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, after becoming one of the biggest financial backers of his campaign. The tech mogul donated over £91.6 million during the election cycle to America PAC, a political action committee designed by Musk to support Trump.
Stephen Colbert
In his first episode after the election, the late-night talk show host addressed viewers with a monologue where he said it was “hard to see the bright side here”.
“Well, f**k. It happened again. After a bizarre and vicious campaign fueled by a desperate need not to go to jail, Donald Trump has won the 2024 election,” the comedian and host began. “If you watch this show regularly, I’m guessing you’re not doing great. Me neither.” He continued that the result encouraged him to wear his “fundamentally questioning my belief in humanity” sticker.
Cardi B
The rapper, who delivered a speech at Harris’s Milwaukee rally on Friday, filmed herself on Instagram as the results were being announced, captioning the video with: “I hate y’all bad”. She took to Instagram Live to share her response throughout the evening. “I swear to god, I’m gonna f**k you up,” she said of Trump’s voters. “Get away from me! I’m sick of you! Burn your f**king hats, motherf****r.”
Of Harris she said: “I just hope she knows no matter what happens tonight, millions of people are proud of her.” Adding: “Women around the world are proud of her. Women of colour are proud of her.”
Stephen King
Known as the King of Horror for his popular novels, King — who has been a notable critic of the president-elect in the past — shared a message to X reacting to the news.
“There’s a sign you can see in many shops that sell beautiful but fragile items: LOVELY TO LOOK AT, DELIGHTFUL TO HOLD, BUT ONCE YOU BREAK IT, THEN IT’S SOLD. You can say the same about democracy,” he wrote.
Throughout the race, King has criticised Trump and his well-known supporters, including Elon Musk. Dubbing Mr Trump as a “dangerous” and “horrible” person, he suggested the Republican nominee should have dropped out of the running as President Biden did in the summer. Of Musk, King shared on X: “The Musk-man has posted 3,000 times on Twitter in the last month. Most are pro-Trump disinformation and outright lies. Remember, he has skin in the game. Consider his posts accordingly.”
Christina Applegate
“Why? Give me your reasons why????? My child is sobbing because her rights as a woman may be taken away. Why? And if you disagree, please unfollow me,” the Married With Children and Bad Moms actress wrote on X.
“Please unfollow me if you voted against female rights. Against disability rights. Yeah that. Unfollow me because what you did is unreal. Don’t want followers like this. So yeah. Done,” she continued.
Jimmy Fallon
Fallon is another talk show host who used his show to share his view of the election results. “America got back together with its crazy ex and elected Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States,” he said. “No matter who you voted for, I think we can all agree that it’s going to be a rough Thanksgiving.” In an attempt to lighten the mood, Fallon joked that current president, 81-year-old Joe Biden, “will hand over his life alert necklace” to 78-year-old president-elect Mr Trump.
Brian Cox
Appearing as a guest on Channel 4’s election coverage, the Succession actor glared at fellow guest, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he defended Trump.
When asked to give his view, the Scottish actor said: “We have to make sure that he doesn’t get in because he is a monster, he really is. He’s crazy, he’s insane, he wants to be a dictator.”
“I think he’s lost it, quite frankly. I think he’s deeply mentally unstable and I think he has been for some time. This is not a man who should be the president of the United States, absolutely not. He’s unreliable, he’s a convicted felon. I’m horrified.”
Bette Midler
Aftr the news broke, Midler shared a quote by journalist H.L. Mencken on X, which ends with: “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.”
Lili Reinhart
The Riverdale actress shared her disbelief on X after Trump’s lead had grown throughout the evening. “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,” the 28-year-old wrote. “My heart absolutely breaks for these women. I believe you, and I am so sorry.”
Her post was met with criticism from many, some of whom stated they were unfollowing her and others who claimed she should “stay out of politics”. She sent several responses, including “Bye!!! Never come back!” and “suck my d**k.”
You are so vile. Never been loved by a woman, huh?
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) November 6, 2024
Mark Cuban
Musk isn’t the only billionaire in Trump’s corner: as well as hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, VR entrepreneur Palmer Lucky, businessman and television personality Mark Cuban has also sent hi congratulations to the president-elect.
“Congrats @realDonaldTrump You won fair and square. Congrats to @elonmusk as well. #Godspeed,” Cuban wrote on X, despite the billionaire emerging as a supporter of Harris during the campaign.
Philip Pullman
In response to the news, the His Dark Materials author simply posted on X: “Goodbye, America. It was nice knowing you.”
