By Mackenzie Cutruzzula
Columnist
In the wake of the presidential elections results, the internet was set ablaze by memes. Even celebrities joined in and voiced their opinions on the outcome. Lady Gaga took part in an anti-Donald Trump protest outside of Trump Tower in New York City in the early hours of Wednesday, Nov. 9. She held up a sign that read, “Love Trumps Hate.” On Saturday, Nov. 12, Michael Moore and his film crew attempted to ride the Trump Tower elevator to meet up with the new president-elect Trump. Moore planned to deliver a note that read, “You lost. Step aside.” However, they were stopped on the fourth floor by secret service.
Ellen Degeneres used the opening of her talk show to give Americans a message of hope. Degeneres used humor and a viral video of an iguana that escaped a band of snakes to lighten the mood. She reminded viewers who may be upset over the results that the iguana made it and the country will, too.
“Obviously, a lot of people were disappointed by the results,” Degeneres said. “My job is to be hopeful and to make everybody feel good, and I’m gonna keep doing that for as long as I can. I will do it because I love you.”
NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” also used its opening minutes to deliver a message of hope. While honoring the late Leonard Cohen, Kate McKinnon dressed as Hillary Clinton and played “Hallelujah” on the piano. At the end of the song, McKinnon fought back tears and said directly to the camera, “I’m not giving up and neither should you.”
The episode also hosted Dave Chappelle in his return to television. His opening monologue renewed his unapologetic humor about issues like race.
“You know, I didn’t know that Donald Trump was going to win the election. I did suspect it,” Chappelle began his monologue. “It seemed like Hillary was doing well in the polls and yet... I know the whites. You guys aren’t as full of surprises as you used to be.”
Chappelle took a serious moment during his opening remarks to wish Trump the best of luck. He admitted that he was willing to give President-elect Trump a chance, if Trump was willing to give the historically disenfranchised a chance in return. In a skit entitled “Election Night,” a black man watches the election results with his liberal-minded, white friends. Having personally faced racism, Chappelle’s character knows there is a strong possibility that Trump could become president. His friends, however, are convinced the Clinton campaign will win. As the night goes on, Chappelle’s character watches his friends come to the realization that “America is racist” and their country is not what they thought it was.
Nearly a week after the election, celebrities are starting to get back to their daily drama. Blac Chyna and Rob Kardashian delivered some exciting news on Thursday, Nov. 10, when their daughter Dream Renee Kardashian was born. Leading up to the C-section, the couple participated in the viral mannequin challenge, where people attempt to remain completely still. The video featured Kardashian’s mother, Kris Jenner. The family spared no time sharing videos and pictures of the newborn.
Later in the day, Kardashian took over his older sister Kim’s website to share photos from Halloween. The West family were photographed wearing matching costumes from the movie “Aladdin.” North and Saint West were dressed as Princess Jasmine and Aladdin, respectively, while Kim matched her daughter.
Conor McGregor delivered a knockout in Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) New York Debut on Saturday, Nov. 12. McGregor became the first competitor to hold up two UFC belts at the same time when he beat lightweight champ Eddie Alvarez. Demi Lovato was there to watch with UFC Fighter Luke Rockhold, who she has been linked to for a few months. This was the couple’s first public outing together.
There is no doubt that there will be plenty to report on in the coming months about the presidential election and the place of celebrities in politics, but for now, we will continue to keep up with the Kardashians and fawn over budding celebrity relationships.
