A number of entertainers have agreed to perform at events related to the inauguration of President Donald Trump, prompting backlash from some of their anti-Trump fans.
For “You Were Meant For Me” singer Jewel, the criticism came after she took the stage at an event celebrating the Make America Healthy Again movement being spearheaded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s pick to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
According to Fox News:
Jewel is defending herself after fans voiced their disappointment over her decision to perform at the MAHA Inaugural Ball for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Following her surprise performance of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” for Kennedy and his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, at the ball, many fans took to the comments section of her recent Instagram posts to share that they were upset with her decision to perform at the ball.
“Incredibly disappointed. Jewel is MAGA. Unfollow,” one fan wrote in the comments section of a post shared by the singer-songwriter on Monday. “You are a huge disappointment. I was a fan for decades but now will never listen to your music again or pay any money to see you perform live,” another follower added.
Her performance sparked both positive and negative social media commentary.
RFK just busted out singer Jewel—Cheryl’s favorite artist—at his MAHA Ball at the old Trump hotel
She’s singing Somewhere Over The Rainbow. Cheryl is crying on stage.
Imagine thinking this would be what Trump’s election celebration looked like? pic.twitter.com/FweDK9eitg
— Brent Scher (@BrentScher) January 21, 2025
Jewel is a singer and should be free to sing wherever she wants, but this person is shaming her for performing at RFK’s MAHA ball.
How did she hurt fans? She was hired to do a job and she did it. pic.twitter.com/WMkBc1EUzW
— Dr. Jebra Faushay (@JebraFaushay) January 25, 2025
Jewel at the #MAHA Ball! Go Bobby! @robertkennedyjr conformation hearing for HHS is next Tuesday pic.twitter.com/ElaWtsjOyI
— Rabbi Shmuley (@RabbiShmuley) January 23, 2025
Although she notably stopped short of endorsing the Trump administration, Jewel nevertheless defended her decision to accept the invitation to perform.
According to the Daily Wire:
“As many of you know, I am a mental health advocate,” the singer — born Jewel Kilcher — said. “If there’s anything I’ve learned in the past 20 years, it’s that mental health affects everybody’s lives across party lines. I reached out to the last administration, spoke with the surgeon general about the mental health crisis that’s facing our nation. I don’t know if you guys know the stats, but it is bleak.”
“I believe there’s things we can do. I believe I can save lives and help,” she added. “And if I believe I can help, I have to try. And if I wait to try until I agree 100% with the people that might be willing to help me, I’d never get off the bench. I don’t think that’s how activism works, waiting until everything’s perfect enough to participate. It’s actually because things are so imperfect that we have to find ways to engage and to participate. And we have to act now. We cannot wait another four years.”
The Grammy-nominated singer said she believes there are people in the new administration who are “willing to help on this issue,” making it clear she doesn’t believe in “all the politics” of the Trump administration.
She added that if she can “make sure mental health is in the conversation when it comes to American health” and “help put resources or mental health tools into the hands of the most vulnerable who need it, I’m going to try and I’m going to fight.”
Of course, her statement did include a standard celebrity apology, possibly saving her from cancelation by the woke crowd:
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