While several viewers expressed mixed reviews over singer Rihanna’s Super Bowl halftime performance, there was one very vocal and public critic — Donald Trump.
Trump took to his Truth Social media platform to blast the performance as an “epic fail” and even mocked Rihanna’s stylist.
“Rihanna gave, without question, the single worst Halftime Show in Super Bowl history — This after insulting far more than half of our Nation, which is already in serious DECLINE, with her foul and insulting language,” wrote the former President.
“Also, so much for her ‘Stylist!'” he joked.
Rihanna looked elegant in an all-red outfit for the performance while her backup singers’ ensemble was all white. In promo clips, however, she looked like she had skinned the Grinch of his pelt and styled her hair to emulate a tree straight out of Whoville.
Rihanna in promo photo for Super Bowl halftime wearing AREA pic.twitter.com/WNW7DKNbkp
— MYMagazine (@mmgzne) February 9, 2023
Rihanna’s Super Bowl halftime show featured risque lyrics and a song titled, “Bitch Better Have My Money,” as well as dance choreography which featured the pop star grabbing her crotch and then, well … it’s hard to describe.
Yeah I know... the fact that I think Rihanna grabbing her crotch and bringing her hands to her face is gross is trashy makes me racist.
Or, perhaps I have standards. That too.
— Shawn Farash ❌🐻 (@Shawn_Farash) February 13, 2023
Remember when the NFL feigned outrage over Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction?
Perhaps Trump was poised to be critical of Rihanna’s performance no matter what she graced the crowd with. Prior to the Super Bowl, he was already criticizing her.
“Without her ‘Stylist’ she’d be NOTHING,” he wrote. “Bad everything, and NO TALENT!”
Trump had responded earlier in the week to a social media post from Republican Representative Ronny Jackson of Texas.
“Rihanna spray painted ‘F*** Donald Trump’ on a car at the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo,” Jackson said. “She’s made a career of spewing degenerate filth while badmouthing America every chance she gets.”
Jackson insisted she should never have been selected for the halftime show.
“Why is the NFL showcasing this crap?” he asked. “Rihanna SHOULD NOT be the halftime performer!”
art.#81days pic.twitter.com/Vx1vjkzezf
— Rihanna (@rihanna) August 15, 2020
Suffice it to say, the performer is not a big fan of Trump either.
Following President Biden’s inauguration, Rihanna posted a picture of herself taking out the trash and added the hashtag ‘#wediditJoe.’
I’m just here to help. 🤷🏿♀️#wediditJoe pic.twitter.com/n7KPjClnKv
— Rihanna (@rihanna) January 20, 2021
Rihanna threatened Trump with a cease and desist after a reporter noted that one of her songs was playing at a rally in 2018.
Not for much longer...me nor my people would ever be at or around one of those tragic rallies, so thanks for the heads up philip! https://t.co/dRgRi06GrJ
— Rihanna (@rihanna) November 5, 2018
As for Trump, he has a long history of criticizing the NFL for their woke politics – they played the so-called Black National Anthem prior to the big game and their ‘end racism’ themes are ridiculously overblown – and allowing players to kneel during the real National Anthem.
In 2018, the Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl and several players threatened not to attend a traditional visit to the White House with Trump in office. So he disinvited them.
#BREAKING: Trump Disinvites Philadelphia Eagles From White House Visit pic.twitter.com/qDiC4Xrmyr
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) June 4, 2018
The Eagles returned to the Super Bowl for the first time since that controversy and were beaten Sunday by the Kansas City Chiefs, 38-35.
A poll over at Yahoo News indicates most viewers shared Trump’s sentiment on Rihanna’s halftime show, with 52% rating it as “not great” while just 25% said it was “amazing.”