As the results of the 2024 election rolled in, a wave of emotional responses from Hollywood’s elite has swept across social media, as high-profile celebrities react to Vice President Kamala Harris’s unexpected defeat. President Donald Trump’s return to the White House has prompted some well-known personalities to express their despair and outrage online, with emotional messages and even vows to withdraw from the U.S. or social media entirely. The election outcome has left many in the entertainment industry sounding the alarm on issues they feel are under threat.
Actress Christina Applegate took to social media platform X with a visceral reaction, pouring out her feelings over the election outcome. She voiced her belief that Trump’s victory could mean severe restrictions on reproductive rights, stating, “Why? Give me your reasons why?????” Applegate, a mother, emphasized her daughter’s heartbreak, sharing, “My child is sobbing because her rights as a woman may be taken away. Why?” Her posts reflected not only her dismay but also an appeal to followers who may disagree with her views, urging, “Please unfollow me if you voted against female rights. Against disability rights. Yeah that. Unfollow me because what you did is unreal.” Applegate’s posts encapsulated the emotional depth many public figures are feeling in light of Harris’s loss and Trump’s win.
Soap opera star Nancy Lee Grahn also shared her discontent and concern, hinting that she has exhausted her efforts for change, posting, “I have done all I can do.” Grahn announced plans to delete her social media accounts as a protective measure for her daughter, sharing, “I’m so sorry. May God help us all.” Grahn’s words resonate with a certain vulnerability, suggesting the weight many in Hollywood feel as political currents shift.
Meanwhile, veteran actress Bette Midler seemed to fulfill a previous vow to exit social media entirely if Trump were to win. Before the election, Midler had suggested she might take drastic measures if Trump won a nonconsecutive term, and following the results, she did just that. Midler’s account vanished from X, leaving her followers, who often turned to her for wit and commentary, without her presence online. This disappearance marked a significant end to her vocal online persona.
Author Stephen King, a staple in both horror fiction and political commentary, shared a reflection on democracy’s fragility, writing, “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.” King’s analogy captured the deep concern he feels, comparing democracy to a delicate object under threat. His words highlighted the persistent narrative that Trump’s leadership signals authoritarianism and instability, views he has shared with his readers and followers.
Actress Sharon Stone, known for her iconic role in Basic Instinct, revealed that she has considered purchasing a property abroad, noting, “I am certainly considering a house in Italy. I think that’s an intelligent construct at this time.” Stone voiced that the prospect of Trump’s presidency had spurred her to think about moving, adding that this is “one of the first times in my life that I’ve actually seen anyone running for office on a platform of hate and oppression.”
Hollywood’s reaction to Trump’s win demonstrates a deep ideological divide between the political perspectives of the general public and the beliefs held by many in the entertainment industry. For many celebrities, Trump’s policies represent a direct challenge to the values they advocate, such as women’s rights, social justice, and tolerance. The emotional responses and drastic measures discussed by public figures signal a turbulent moment within the entertainment community. As the dust settles, the ongoing narrative around Hollywood’s activism and its impact on public opinion will remain at the forefront of political and social discourse in America.
