Hollywood is supposed to be a liberal monolith, right? That’s the story we’re always told. You see the massive galas, the award show speeches, and the endless stream of blue-check tweets that make it feel like every single person with a SAG card is part of the same political club. But honestly, that's just not the reality. If you look closely at celebrities who like Trump, the list is actually getting longer and, frankly, a lot more varied than it was back in 2016. It’s not just the "faded stars" or the "outrage bait" personalities anymore. We’re seeing tech titans, A-list rappers, and massive sports icons stepping into the MAGA orbit.
Why the shift? It’s complicated. For some, it’s about taxes. For others, it’s a middle finger to "cancel culture." And for a growing group, it’s a belief that the current system is just fundamentally broken. Whatever the reason, the "silent majority" in the entertainment world isn't quite so silent anymore.
The Heavy Hitters: Elon Musk and the Tech-Alpha Shift
You can't talk about celebrity support for Donald Trump without talking about Elon Musk. He basically rewrote the playbook for how a modern billionaire interacts with a sitting president. It’s wild to think that just a few years ago, Musk was largely seen as a Silicon Valley darling of the green energy movement. Now? He’s arguably Trump’s most vocal and powerful ally.
Musk didn't just give a thumbs up; he went all in. We're talking about massive financial backing through his America PAC and a constant, 24/7 stream of support on X. During the 2024 campaign and leading into 2026, Musk’s presence at rallies—literally jumping for joy on stage in Pennsylvania—became the defining image of the new Republican coalition. It’s a mix of "techno-optimism" and a deep-seated distrust of what they call the "woke mind virus."
The Joe Rogan Effect
Then you have the podcasters. While Joe Rogan often tries to stay middle-of-the-road, his late-campaign endorsement of Trump was a massive culture-shifter. Rogan represents a specific type of celebrity: the "anti-establishment" voice. When Rogan sat down with Trump for three hours, it wasn't a standard political interview. It was two guys talking shop. That single episode did more to humanize Trump for millions of young male voters than any traditional campaign ad ever could.
Musicians and the "Red Pilled" Pivot
The music industry has always had its rebels, but the brand of rebellion has changed. It used to be about fighting "The Man." Now, for guys like Kid Rock and Jason Aldean, "The Man" is the coastal elite and the media establishment.
💡 You might also like: Birth Date of Pope Francis: Why Dec 17 Still Matters for the Church
Kid Rock is the permanent fixture here. He’s been a staple at Trump’s golf courses and rallies for years. But he’s joined by people like Azealia Banks, who has been surprisingly vocal about her support, often citing Trump’s "chaos energy" as something she respects. It’s a weird, jagged kind of support that doesn't fit into a neat box.
- Kanye West (Ye): Though his relationship with Trump has been a literal roller coaster of "White Lives Matter" shirts and White House dinners, his initial 2018 pivot paved the way for other rappers to speak up.
- Lil Pump: Remember him? He was one of the first Gen Z rappers to jump on the Trump train, even appearing at rallies in the 11th hour.
- 50 Cent: His support is often more transactional. He’s famously joked—or maybe not joked—about the tax rates under Democratic administrations. "I don't want to be 20 Cent," he famously quipped.
The Reality TV and Sports Connection
Trump came from reality TV, so it makes sense that he speaks that language fluently. Hulk Hogan literally tearing his shirt off at the Republican National Convention is peak entertainment-meets-politics. It’s loud. It’s aggressive. It’s exactly what the MAGA base loves.
In the UFC world, the support is almost total. Dana White, the CEO of UFC, is one of Trump’s oldest friends. White has credited Trump with helping the UFC survive in its early, "human cockfighting" days when no one else would host their events. Because of that, you see fighters like Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington treating Trump like a literal king when he walks into the Octagon.
Why Athletes Are Different
Athletes often view Trump through the lens of competition. They see a "winner." They see someone who gets hit and keeps coming. For a lot of retired NFL players like Herschel Walker or MLB legends like Mariano Rivera, the attraction is about that "tough guy" persona. It’s a cultural fit that goes beyond policy papers or legislative agendas.
The Comedians Breaking the Mold
This is where it gets really interesting. Comedy used to be 99% anti-Trump. But in the last couple of years, a new wave of "free speech" comedians has started to lean right—or at least, lean into Trump.
📖 Related: Kanye West Black Head Mask: Why Ye Stopped Showing His Face
Tony Hinchcliffe, the host of Kill Tony, found himself in the middle of a firestorm after his set at the Madison Square Garden rally. While the mainstream media called it a disaster, his core audience mostly shrugged it off as "just a joke." Then you have Theo Von, who interviewed Trump on his podcast and focused on, of all things, the dangers of cocaine and the loss of Trump's brother. It was a vulnerable, strange, and deeply human moment that didn't feel like "politics." It felt like two people connecting over shared trauma.
That’s the secret sauce for a lot of celebrities who like Trump. They aren't looking for a policy wonk. They’re looking for someone who feels "real" in an industry that feels increasingly fake and scripted.
The Cost of Coming Out as Pro-Trump
It’s not all rallies and high-fives. For many in Hollywood, supporting Trump is still a career-risking move. Antonio Sabato Jr. and Scott Baio have both been vocal about being "blacklisted" or losing out on roles because of their political leanings.
Drea de Matteo, famous for her role in The Sopranos, has talked openly about how her stance on mandates and her support for the right cost her agents and friends. There’s a genuine fear in the industry. For every one celebrity who speaks out, there are likely ten more who stay quiet to keep their Netflix deals or Marvel contracts safe.
What This Means for the Future
As we head into the mid-2020s, the "celebrity Trump supporter" is becoming a more established archetype. It’s no longer a shock. We’ve moved past the era where a single tweet could end a career. The audience has fragmented. If a star loses the "Blue State" audience, they just double down on the "Red State" one.
👉 See also: Nicole Kidman with bangs: Why the actress just brought back her most iconic look
The biggest takeaway? Celebrity influence is changing. A TikTok from a popular influencer or a three-hour chat on a podcast now carries more weight than a formal endorsement from a legendary Oscar winner. Trump knows this. He’s spent years building a "counter-Hollywood" made of fighters, podcasters, and tech moguls.
If you're looking to track how this landscape shifts, keep an eye on alternative media platforms. The next big "Trump celebrity" probably won't come from a movie set—they'll come from a streaming platform or a garage-based podcast studio.
To stay updated on the shifting alliances in the entertainment world, follow the FEC filing reports for celebrity donations or monitor the guest lists at upcoming Mar-a-Lago events, as these are the most reliable indicators of who is actually putting their money and time behind the movement.
Next Steps for Readers:
- Monitor Independent Media: Watch shows like The Joe Rogan Experience or This Past Weekend with Theo Von to see how they navigate political interviews compared to mainstream networks.
- Check FEC Records: Use the Federal Election Commission database to see which of your favorite stars are actually donating to various campaigns.
- Follow Alternative Platforms: Look at Truth Social or X to see which celebrities are engaging directly with the MAGA community away from the traditional Hollywood gatekeepers.