Grande Reshares Viral Post; White House Responds

Ariana Grande reposted on Sept. 28 an Instagram Story by podcaster Matt Bernstein asking Trump voters whether their lives had improved “250 days” into his second term, citing stagnant household costs like groceries and insurance, work/life balance and the ability to take a vacation alongside immigrant family separations, attacks on trans people and threats to free speech. The message — which asked whether the “widespread suffering of others” has been worth any economic gains — went viral and drew mixed reactions online, with supporters praising her and critics calling her out as out-of-touch. The White House responded through spokesman Kush Desai, who defended the president’s economic record and cited recent executive actions and enforcement steps. Coverage noted that Grande’s repost aligns with her recent political advocacy — she backed Kamala Harris in 2024 and supported Bernie Sanders in 2020 — and her history of pro-immigrant and LGBTQ+ posts. The exchange highlights continuing friction between celebrity activism and partisan media narratives as Grande prepares to appear in the upcoming Wicked sequel.