Kim Kardashian has built a billion dollar empire thanks to social media, but nearly a quarter of a million of her Instagram followers have fled in under a week after she shared a picture from Donald Trump’s inauguration.
The reality TV star, 44, was interpreted as making a political statement by sharing a photo of First Lady Melania.
The viral post, which many have taken to be an endorsement of Trump, led to a swift backlash from many of her fans, with around 150,000 of her Instagram followers instantly ditching the reality TV star, as per the New York Post.
Since then, the number has gone up to a staggering 219,000 as more fans have seemingly learned of what they believe to be her backing of the divisive new president.
According to data analysed by Socially Powerful, an influencer marketing agency, Kim - who did not publicly endorse a candidate during the presidential election in November- lost 144,963 Instagram followers shortly after uploading the image.
The mother-of-six, who currently boasts 358 million followers on Instagram, also lost 9,553 followers on X where she currently has 75.1 million followers.
Kardashian posted a snap of Mrs Trump's much-talked about look, which was a navy suit by Adam Lippes, and a coordinating hat by Eric Javits, to her Instagram story.
Many slammed her for the move, and threatened to withdraw their support of her business ventures, including her shapewear brand, SKIMS.
One wrote on one of the star's posts: "Kim, you will never get another cent of my money. You and SKIMS can kick rocks."
Another commented: "Kim Kardashian posted a photo of Melania Trump? Yeah it’s clear who she voted for."
Others wrote: "She’s been waiting to let that out!"
"Kim K posted Melania at the inauguration. I know that family must be ready to take the masks off."
"Why are people shocked a billionaire is supporting the right??? That’s literally textbook. It would be dumb if she actually voted blue like be so serious."
While Kim has not spoken publicly about who she voted for in the 2024 election, she has made no secret of her close friendship with Trump's daughter Ivanka.
Ivanka even appeared on The Kardashian's show at the star's intimate birthday dinner in October 2023 at Funke in Beverly Hills.
Two months later, the pair was together at the opening party for the Fontainebleau Las Vegas.
In August 2024, Kardashian, whose ex husband Kanye West famously supports Trump, dined with Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner at Malibu restaurant Nobu.
During Trump's first term as president, Kardashian personally met with him in the oval office to lobby for criminal justice reform and the release of Alice Johnson, who was given a life sentence for a non-violent drugs conviction in 1996.
Trump granted her clemency a week later.
