In a brash response to celebrity backlash following Donald Trump’s re-election as the 47th President of the United States, private equity fund manager Grant Cardone has offered up his private jet to help prominent liberal figures exit the country.
Cardone’s tweet directly calls out Hollywood icons and outspoken Trump critics, including Robert De Niro, Stephen King, Cardi B, and Taylor Swift, mocking those who previously joked about leaving the US if Trump regained office.
Cardone’s tweet, which has quickly gone viral, reads, “I am offering my jet to all crying liberals who promised to leave the USA in case of Trump victory. If you want to arrange your flight, have your people email my people.”
The tweet tags an eclectic list of celebrities known for their vocal criticism of Trump, stirring both ire and amusement online. The email address Cardone provided, “GC@CryingLikeALittleBitch.com,” further underlined the mocking tone of his offer.
This offer follows a wave of celebrity reactions on social media expressing disappointment, anger, and disbelief at Trump’s comeback. Cardi B, who had endorsed Kamala Harris and actively campaigned for the Democratic candidate, shared a sombre reaction in an Instagram story, writing, "I hate yall bad," while posting a video of herself watching the election coverage with evident dismay.
She later addressed Harris, commending her historic campaign as an inspiration to women and people of colour.
For Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro, a longtime critic of Trump, the win confirmed his earlier fears. The actor, during a recent interview on Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace?, had asserted, “He’s never going to give it up,” regarding the likelihood of Trump voluntarily ceding power if re-elected.
De Niro’s remarks reflect the ongoing anxiety among critics that Trump, who had challenged his loss in 2020 with unsubstantiated claims of fraud, could further undermine democratic norms.
Famed horror author Stephen King, using a metaphor to warn of democracy’s fragility, writing, “LOVELY TO LOOK AT, DELIGHTFUL TO HOLD, BUT ONCE YOU BREAK IT, THEN IT'S SOLD. You can say the same about democracy.”
Other celebrities also voiced concerns about the broader social implications of Trump’s win. Christina Applegate expressed sorrow on X, saying her daughter was distressed, worried that Trump’s leadership might erode women’s rights. “Why? Give me your reasons why????" she wrote, adding, "My child is sobbing because her rights as a woman may be taken away."
As Cardone’s offer ignites conversations on social media, it highlights the stark divide in reactions across the nation. While Trump supporters view his comeback as a vindication after years of controversy, critics like Viola Davis, Billie Eilish, and Ariana Grande used their platforms to reflect the “heaviness” of this outcome, with Grande stating she’s “holding the hand of every person who is feeling the immeasurable heaviness.”
Though some Trump critics may have once joked about leaving the US, Cardone’s offer is an invitation they are unlikely to take. For now, reactions continue to reflect the polarised views on Trump’s re-election, adding fuel to the ongoing discourse about the nation’s future under his renewed leadership.
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