Former Republican President Donald Trump attacked pop singer Rihanna in a post on his personal social media platform Truth Social, saying she "gave, without question, the single worst Halftime Show in Super Bowl history."
Trump, who called the performance an "EPIC FAIL," added:
"This after insulting far more than half of our Nation, which is already in serious DECLINE, with her foul and insulting language. Also, so much for her 'Stylist!'"
You can see Trump's post below.
\u201cMr. Sunshine and Happiness weighs in.\u201d— Ron Filipkowski \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Ron Filipkowski \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1676254176
Rihanna's Super Bowl halftime show was her first time on stage since 2017, having devoted much of her time over the last six years to her business empire and to caring for her son. She also confirmed through a representative she is pregnant with her second child.
The performance—which provided fodder for House Republicans who used an image of Rihanna's dancers getting into formation to attack federal investigators—was well-received by fans who believe it could signal more music from the Barbadian singer, who hasn't released an album since Anti in 2016.
And many of those fans—to say nothing of Trump's other critics—were quick to defend Rihanna from his baseless attack.
\u201cDonald Trump is just mad because the multibillionaire Rihanna is richer than he is, and also more talented. You go girl!\u201d— Maxine Waters (@Maxine Waters) 1676228410
\u201cRihanna was awesome at the Super Bowl Halftime show. See the video for yourself.\n\nDonald Trump is watching America and progress pass him by. He can\u2019t stop change and lashes out, mostly at minorities. Also, Trump doesn\u2019t know how to dance to Rihanna songs.\n\n#mondaythoughts\u201d— Ted Lieu (@Ted Lieu) 1676301621
\u201cWow. Rihanna was absolutely incredible \u2014 and to think that Donald Trump had the audacity to attack her for having "no talent" is so enraging. Rihanna has more talent in her pinky than Donald Trump ever will. Period.\u201d— Victor Shi (@Victor Shi) 1676252736
\u201c@RonFilipkowski Sexist and racist all in one go. What an overachiever.\u201d— Ron Filipkowski \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Ron Filipkowski \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1676254176
\u201c@RonFilipkowski Rihanna\u2019s performance was incredible. She has more talent in her pinky finger than Donald Trump, Melania, Ivanka, Don. Jr and Eric ever will. She has actually built a real billion-dollar empire\u2026unlike some haters.\u201d— Ron Filipkowski \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Ron Filipkowski \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1676254176
\u201c@RonFilipkowski Is he crying because she is more popular than him?\u201d— Ron Filipkowski \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Ron Filipkowski \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1676254176
\u201c@RonFilipkowski I mean, you knew this was coming. If Trump hated it, you know it was great\u201d— Ron Filipkowski \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Ron Filipkowski \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1676254176
Trump's attack came days after he posted on Truth Social that Rihanna was "Bad everything, and NO TALENT!”
Trump’s post followed a tweet from Texas Republican Representative Ronny Jackson—the controversial White House doctor during the Trump administration.
Jackson accused Rihanna of making a career of "spewing degenerate filth."
\u201cRihanna spray painted \u201cF*** Donald Trump\u201d on a car at the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo. She\u2019s made a career of spewing degenerate filth while badmouthing America every chance she gets. Why is the NFL showcasing this crap? Rihanna SHOULD NOT be the halftime performer!!\u201d— Ronny Jackson (@Ronny Jackson) 1675956495
In 2020, Rihanna wrote “F*ck Trump” in spray paint at the Cadillac Ranch art installation in Amarillo, Texas.
Rihanna also won a legal victory over Trump in 2018 after she, through her performing rights company, Broadcast Music Inc., informed the then-President he could no longer use her music at his rallies.
The singer took action after a Washington Post reporter shared her music was "blaring" at a rally in Tallahassee, Florida.
Rihanna responded, “Not for much longer" before adding neither she "nor [her] people would ever be at or around one of those tragic rallies.”
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