Popular singer Rihanna has blamed Americans who failed to vote in the 2024 presidential election for Donald Trump’s return to the White House, arguing that voter apathy also contributed to the economic difficulties facing the country under his administration.
The Barbadian-born singer made the remarks while reacting to a viral Instagram clip of a conversation involving journalist Charles M. Blow and former MSNBC host Joy Reid, in which Reid argued that Americans had themselves to blame for the financial controversies surrounding Trump’s government because they voted him back into office.
Rihanna, who has frequently used her public platform to comment on social and political issues, said responsibility for the outcome should not rest solely on those who voted for the Republican candidate.
“Believe it or not, those who didn’t vote at all also did this!” she wrote in her reaction to the clip.
Trump defeated Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the November 2024 presidential election, securing a second term after losing his re-election bid to Joe Biden in 2020.
His return to power has continued to generate debate over the direction of American economic policy, the cost of living and the consequences of voters’ choices. Rihanna’s intervention adds to the discussion, particularly over whether people who abstain from elections share responsibility for the political and economic decisions made by elected leaders.
Voter apathy remains a concern in many democracies, as low participation can influence electoral outcomes and leave important decisions in the hands of a smaller proportion of eligible voters.
Despite living in the United States, Rihanna is not an American citizen and is therefore ineligible to vote in US presidential elections. Born in Barbados, the singer has nevertheless remained a prominent voice in public conversations about politics, inequality and social issues.
Her latest comments have drawn attention to the role of non-voters in electoral outcomes and the wider consequences of political participation.