AMERICAN chanteuse Demi Lovato said yesterday that she “literally don’t care” if she loses her stellar singing career for criticising President Donald Trump.
The 28-year-old singer-songwriter has released a new song, Commander In Chief, and it has caused a sensation in the USA where there are just 18 days to the presidential election.
It’s yet another turn in the US presidential election campaign that’s had more twists than the A82 Loch Lomondside road.
Lovato claims all she is trying to do is to get people to vote, but the hard-hitting lyrics will make any Trump fan wince:
Were you ever taught when you were young
If you mess with things selfishly, they’re bound to come undone?
I’m not the only one
That’s been affected and resented every story you’ve spun, and I’m a lucky one
‘Cause there are people worse off that have suffered enough
Haven’t they suffered enough?
But you can’t get enough of shutting down systems for personal gain
Fighting fires with flayers and praying for rain
Do you get off on pain?
We’re not pawns in your game
Commander in Chief, honestly
If I did the things you do, I couldn’t sleep
Seriously, do you even know the truth?
We’re in a state of crisis, people are dying
While you line your pockets deep
Commander in Chief
How does it feel to still be able to breathe?
We were taught when we were young
If we fight for what’s right, there won’t be justice for just some
Won’t give up, stand our ground
We’ll be in the streets while you’re bunkering down.
Lovato sang the song with power and emotion for the first time live on the Billboard Music Awards show on NBC on Wednesday night. The channel was later accused of censoring its message as the word “Vote” on the screen behind the performer was blanked out.
Social media erupted both for and against Lovato, with some commentators calling it the best protest song of the Trump presidency, while others trolled Lovato for using her public position to influence people to vote for Democrat candidate Senator Joe Biden – even though he is not mentioned in the song.
Lovato took to social media to reply: “You do understand, as a celebrity I have a right to political views as well?
“I literally don’t care if this ruins my career. This isn’t about that. My career isn’t about that. I made a piece of art that stands for something I believe in.”
She added: “I’m calling on all of you, please join me in voting for this year’s election. Find your voter information at iwillvote.com.”
Meanwhile, more people than ever before at this stage of a campaign have voted in those states which allow mail-in ballots or early in-person voting. The US Elections Project at the University of Florida said that by yesterday at 1pm voters had cast a total of 17,560,471 ballots, seen as good news for Biden as more Democrats than Republics traditionally vote early.
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