Washington, D.C. – At 12:09 AM +07 on Monday, May 19, 2025, Barbra Streisand’s pointed criticism of President Donald Trump, originally voiced in her 2023 memoir My Name Is Barbra, continues to resonate as political divisions deepen. The iconic singer and actress labeled Trump “completely unfit” to be commander in chief, while praising her longtime friends Bill and Hillary Clinton as “the most appealing couple,” a sentiment that has reignited discussions about celebrity influence in politics and the cultural fault lines of Trump’s second term.
Streisand’s remarks, detailed in her nearly 1,000-page autobiography, reflect her lifelong Democratic allegiance and her belief in the artist’s role as a “conscience of the country.” She wrote, “You wouldn’t go to a doctor who has no qualifications… Why on earth would people want to entrust our country to a narcissist whose lack of experience, recklessness, and blatant disregard for the truth made him completely unfit to be president?” She expressed dismay at Trump’s 2016 win, fearing the younger generation might emulate a leader she described as lacking “kindness or empathy,” accusing him of lying “as easily as he breathes.”
Her praise for the Clintons, whom she called “smart and charismatic” before their White House years, underscores her decades-long friendship with the couple. Streisand, who performed at Bill Clinton’s 1993 inauguration, has consistently backed Democratic candidates, including Joe Biden in 2020 and Hillary Clinton in 2016. Her memoir’s portrayal of the Clintons as an ideal political duo contrasts sharply with her view of Trump, whom she has repeatedly criticized, notably calling his presidency “four years in a black hole” in a 2021 People interview, blaming his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic for “unnecessary deaths.”
The resurfacing of Streisand’s comments comes amid a fraught political climate. Trump’s recent attacks on cultural figures like Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift, whom he insulted on Truth Social on May 16, have intensified calls for artists to counter his influence—such as the viral X proposal for Swift and Springsteen to hold a free D.C. concert on June 14, the day of Trump’s planned military parade. Streisand’s history of political activism, including her 2018 album Walls with the anti-Trump track “Don’t Lie to Me,” aligns with this sentiment, though she has not commented on the concert idea.
Streisand’s critique also echoes her broader concerns about democracy under Trump. In a 2024 Newsweek post, she called his remarks about ending voting “alarming,” warning that he doesn’t understand voting as a “privilege for every American.” She previously threatened to leave the U.S. if Trump won in 2024, telling Stephen Colbert in 2023 she “can’t live in this country” under him, favoring England as a potential refuge. Despite her 2016 pledge to leave if Trump won—which she didn’t follow through on—her consistent opposition underscores a deep ideological rift.
However, Streisand’s comments have drawn mixed reactions. Posts on X highlight the divide, with some users mocking her as “stuck in the ‘90s” for her Clinton admiration, while others agree with her assessment of Trump’s unfitness. Her influence as a cultural figure is undeniable—her memoir sold over 250,000 copies in its first week, per Nielsen BookScan—but her political stances risk alienating Trump’s 77 million voters, especially as his administration navigates controversies like the U.S. credit rating downgrade on May 16 and ethical questions over hiring former Fox News employees.
Streisand’s voice adds to a growing chorus of artists challenging Trump, yet the effectiveness of such critiques remains uncertain in a polarized America. As cultural and political battles intensify, her words serve as a reminder of the enduring power—and limits—of celebrity activism.
