'Save your tears': White House lashes out at Ariana Grande after singer criticizes Trump
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Ariana Grande poses on the red carpet at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards in Elmont, New York, U.S., September 7, 2025. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper
Ariana Grande and the Trump administration traded public barbs after the pop star reshared a message on Instagram questioning whether life had improved for Trump supporters since he took office.
On Sunday, Grande reposted a message to her Instagram story that asked followers whether basic costs — including groceries and health insurance — had become more affordable under Trump, while also pointing to the suffering of immigrants, transgender people and concerns over free speech.
"It's been 250 days. Now that immigrants have been violently torn from their families and communities have been destroyed ... has your life gotten better? Have your groceries gotten cheaper? Has your work-life balance improved? Can you take a vacation yet? Are you happier?" The post read. "Has the widespread suffering of others paid off for you in the way he promised it would, or are you still waiting?"
In response, White House deputy press secretary Kush Desai issued a statement to TMZ Monday: “Save your tears, Ariana, because President Trump’s actions ended Joe Biden’s inflation crisis and are bringing in trillions in new investments.”
He added, “He even signed an executive order just like magic that paved the way for the FTC to crack down on Ticketmaster for ripping off Ariana Grande’s concert‑going fans. Get well soon, Ariana!”
Desai, who was named to his White House communications role in early 2025, previously worked in Republican communications and briefly as a journalist.
Grande has long been vocal about her political views. She supported former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election and backed Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) during the 2020 Democratic primary. She has also publicly voiced opposition to policies affecting deportations and has expressed solidarity with transgender communities.