It happened. The 2024 election results rolled in and, honestly, the collective gasp from the Hollywood Hills could probably be heard from space. If you were on social media that night, you saw it. It wasn't just a news cycle; it was a digital tidal wave of grief, rage, and—depending on which side of the fence you sit on—unbridled victory. Celebrities react to election news in a way that feels personal to us because we’ve spent years "knowing" them through our screens. But this time? This time felt different. The gloves were off.
The Night the Blue Wall Crumbled in Hollywood
Imagine being at a star-studded watch party when the swing states started flipping. For the massive chunk of Hollywood that backed Kamala Harris, the vibe shifted from "we've got this" to "what just happened?" faster than a box office flop. Cardi B didn't hold back. Watching the numbers on her phone, she posted a video with a simple, stinging caption: "I hate y'all bad." She eventually hopped on an Instagram Live, looking visibly crushed, telling fans she was "really sad" and swearing she wouldn't show up to any inaugurations.
Then there was Christina Applegate. She wasn't just mad; she was terrified for her family. She posted about her daughter "sobbing" because she felt her rights as a woman were being stripped away. Applegate even told her followers to unfollow her if they disagreed. "Unfollow me because what you did is unreal," she wrote. It's rare to see a veteran actress basically burn her bridge with a segment of her fan base in real-time, but that's the level of raw emotion we're talking about here.
Fear and "Draconian" Times
Jamie Lee Curtis took a more "big picture" approach, though no less grim. She penned a long Instagram post describing the win as a return to a "more restrictive, some fear draconian time." She spoke directly to minority groups and the LGBTQ+ community, acknowledging that many would be afraid. But she also issued a call to arms, saying that being American means you "wake up and fight." It was a classic Jamie Lee move—authoritative, a bit maternal, and deeply political.
The View from the Other Side: Champagne and "Godspeed"
Not everyone was mourning. While the majority of the "A-list" seemed to be in a state of mourning, a powerful, albeit smaller, group was popping bottles. Elon Musk, who basically hitched his entire public persona to the Trump wagon this cycle, was all over X (formerly Twitter). He posted about the "future is gonna be fantastic." It wasn't just a win for him; it was a validation of his massive financial and vocal investment in the campaign.
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Mark Cuban, usually a vocal critic of Donald Trump, took the high road after the results were clear. He tweeted a congratulations to Trump, saying he won "fair and square" and even threw a "godspeed" to Elon Musk. It was a stark contrast to the "burn it all down" energy coming from other corners of the industry. Rob Schneider also chimed in, calling it a "mandate" and a "landslide victory." It’s kinda fascinating to see how the divide in Hollywood almost perfectly mirrors the divide in your local grocery store.
The Satire and the Silence
Late-night hosts had the hardest job. Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert had to find a way to be funny while clearly feeling like they’d just been hit by a truck. Kimmel described the feeling as "waiting to get results of a biopsy." On The View, Whoopi Goldberg remained defiant. She refused to even say Trump's name. "He's the president," she said, "but I'm still not going to say his name." It’s a level of commitment to a bit—or a belief—that you have to kind of respect, even if you find it dramatic.
Does Anyone Actually Care What a Celeb Thinks?
Here’s the million-dollar question: Does a celebrity react to election results in a way that actually moves the needle?
Some researchers suggest that while an endorsement from someone like Taylor Swift or Beyoncé might get people to register to vote (Swift famously drove tens of thousands to Vote.org), it rarely changes the mind of a "stuck" voter. In 2024, Harris had the star power. She had the rallies with Megan Thee Stallion and the endorsements from George Clooney. Trump had Joe Rogan and the "manosphere."
"Democracy is like a fragile item in a shop. Once you break it, it's sold." — Stephen King
King's take was one of the most shared among the literary crowd. It highlights a specific type of reaction: the intellectual "I told you so." It’s less about policy and more about the soul of the country. But for the average voter in Pennsylvania or Michigan, did Stephen King’s tweet matter? Probably not as much as the price of eggs.
Why the Reaction Felt More Violent This Time
In previous cycles, you’d get the "I’m moving to Canada" jokes. This time, it felt like a genuine fracture. Billie Eilish called it a "war on women." Ariana Grande said she was "holding the hand" of everyone feeling the "immeasurable heaviness."
We’re seeing a shift where celebrities don't just "endorse" a candidate; they embody the lifestyle of the party. When the candidate loses, the celebrity feels like their brand—and their safety—is under fire.
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The Aftermath and the "Gestapo" Comments
Fast forward a bit to early 2026, and the reactions haven't stopped; they’ve just evolved. Even some supporters have hit a wall. Joe Rogan, who was a massive get for the Trump campaign, recently compared ICE tactics to the "Gestapo" on his podcast. It shows that celebrity reactions aren't static. They change as the reality of governance kicks in.
What You Can Do Now
If the celebrity circus has left you feeling a bit overwhelmed, here are a few ways to filter the noise:
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- Check the Source: Before sharing a viral "meltdown" video, check if it’s from this year. Old clips of Meryl Streep or Robert De Niro often resurface to stir the pot.
- Look for Policy, Not Pulse: Focus on how these celebrities talk about specific issues (like reproductive rights or taxes) rather than just their general "vibe." It tells you more about why they're reacting.
- Diversify Your Feed: If your timeline is 100% "the world is ending" or 100% "everything is perfect," you're missing the nuances that even some celebrities, like Jamie Lee Curtis, are trying to point out.
The reality is that celebrities react to election outcomes because they are citizens with platforms. Whether that platform should be used for political venting is a debate that isn't ending anytime soon. But for now, the glitter has settled, and the work—for them and for us—continues.
Would you like me to analyze how these specific celebrity reactions affected social media engagement metrics compared to the 2020 election?