Following a heated U.S. presidential election, actress and singer Bette Midler made headlines after sharing a meme on X (formerly Twitter) suggesting she would drink Drano if Donald Trump won. The meme, posted on election eve, quickly sparked outrage and ridicule from users on the platform. Facing backlash, Midler deleted her X account by Wednesday morning, leaving many to wonder about the motivations behind her controversial post and subsequent departure.
Midler’s meme depicted the inside of a refrigerator with two bottles side by side. One, a bottle of Korbel champagne labeled with a note reading “Kamala Wins,” represented her preferred outcome—a victory for Vice President Kamala Harris. Next to it, a bottle of Drano, labeled “Trump Wins,” suggested an ominous response if Trump emerged victorious.
The image immediately went viral, and while some of Midler’s fans saw it as a joke, others criticized the post as distasteful and extreme. As Trump secured the presidency for a second term, the reactions to Midler’s meme only intensified. Users across the platform began to mock the singer, many of whom saw her post as an example of Hollywood’s disconnect from everyday Americans.
After Midler’s meme went live, reactions poured in, many of which mocked her apparent distress at Trump’s victory. Conservative commentator Caleb Hull tweeted a screenshot of Midler’s now-deleted account, capturing the moment her response had gone from social media blunder to disappearance altogether. Hull posted, “OMG @BetteMidler just deleted her account,” along with a screengrab, fueling more responses from Trump supporters.
Hull continued, poking fun at Midler’s reaction by tagging her in a follow-up tweet: “Good morning, @BetteMidler. Just wanted to check in on this.” The lighthearted jab reflected a general sentiment among Trump supporters, who interpreted her extreme meme as a sign of “meltdown” among Hollywood elites in response to the election results.
Good morning @BetteMidler.
Just wanted to check in on this. pic.twitter.com/nY6ZeQjwKi
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) November 6, 2024
Another user, Matt Whitlock, shared a screenshot with the caption, “Bette Midler deleted her account. America is already healing.” Whitlock’s post resonated with Trump’s supporters who viewed the actress’s account deletion as symbolic of a culture war victory, with critics framing Midler as an emblem of the polarized reactions to Trump’s re-election.
Oh my gosh.
Bette Midler deleted her account.
America is already healing. pic.twitter.com/KFtq3sMhZW
— Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) November 6, 2024
Midler, known for her outspoken political views, has a history of sharing posts that range from satirical to controversial. Throughout Trump’s first term, she became a frequent critic of the former president, using her platform to share sharp comments about him and his administration. The Drano meme, however, took on a different tone and touched a nerve with many on social media.
For some, the meme was a stark reminder of the divide between Hollywood and much of Trump’s voter base. To those who opposed Trump, Midler’s meme was simply a humorous way to voice disappointment; for supporters of Trump, it served as yet another example of elites vilifying their candidate and showing disdain for those who voted for him.
Critics argued that the meme not only implied an extreme reaction to a lawful election outcome but also trivialized mental health struggles by suggesting self-harm as a response to political events. Some felt that a public figure with Midler’s influence should use caution when sharing such images, particularly given the platform’s potential reach to impressionable followers.
As Midler’s account vanished, the election results were making waves of their own. President Trump not only won a second term but did so by a significant margin, securing an estimated 315 electoral votes and also capturing the popular vote. This sweeping victory was celebrated by Trump’s supporters, who took Midler’s account deletion as symbolic of the opposition’s reaction to the win.
In his victory speech, Trump thanked his supporters and promised to continue his work for America’s future. He declared, “This will be a new era for America, one of unity, prosperity, and security.” Trump’s team capitalized on the victory by emphasizing the need for national unity and encouraging Americans to move forward. For many, this message was in direct contrast to the divisive rhetoric they saw from figures like Midler.
Midler’s response may represent a larger trend among Hollywood’s reaction to Trump’s success. Some stars, vocal in their opposition to Trump, have faced backlash from conservatives who view Hollywood as out of touch with middle America. Midler’s post-election meme provided a potent image for critics, especially among those who feel that the entertainment industry fails to respect or understand the views of average Americans.
By deleting her account, Midler may have sought to avoid the continued scrutiny and criticism that her meme sparked. However, her exit has only intensified discussions around Hollywood’s relationship with Trump and his supporters. Her meme’s impact on X highlighted how celebrities often walk a fine line between political satire and alienation of fans with differing views.
For Trump’s supporters, the meme—and Midler’s subsequent account deletion—served as a symbol of the “elite’s meltdown” over the election. While some viewed it as humor gone too far, others saw it as a snapshot of a culture struggling to bridge political divides.
Midler’s response is one among many illustrating the intensity of emotions surrounding this election. Her meme, though intended as a satirical statement, ended up underscoring the disconnect between public figures and those who interpret their messages. For now, with Midler gone from X, the image of her Drano meme remains a reminder of the polarizing nature of political discourse today.
