The father of pop icon Lady Gaga appears to have publicly endorsed Donald Trump after the singer criticized him at a rally in support of Joe Biden.
Per a report by People Magazine, the singer's father, Joe Germanotta, made his political leanings clear in a tweet posted to a social media account that appears to belong to him on Tuesday, November 3. The tweet in question reads simply: "@realDonaldTrump 2020"
[[twitterwidget||https://twitter.com/germanottajoe/status/1323810663488200705]]
A follow-up message made in a second post made from the same account later that day reads:
"You may have noticed my political and spiritual beliefs are different. liberty and freedom of choice would not be political. [sic]"
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The Trump/Gaga feud came to the fore after the singer took to Twitter to proudly announce that she'd be joining Joe Biden on his campaign trail through Pennsylvania.
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In a post addressed to her 82.3 million followers, the 34-year-old musician wrote:
"I AM SO EXCITED to be back in Pennsylvania! (Pittsburgh where I used to fly into to visit my grandma!). See you tomorrow at Joe’s rally! WE NEED EVERY VOTE PA - make a plan. This election depends on you!"
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In a speech made at the pro-Biden rally, Gaga stated:
"If you're here, you probably already believe in Joe Biden. I know I believe in Joe Biden. You probably already believe he's the right choice over Donald Trump.
"You don't need me to tell you why because, like me, you've experienced the last four years and have all the evidence you need to look at this choice and know in your heart, without any doubt, that Joe Biden is the right choice.
"Now is your chance to vote against Donald Trump, a man who believes his fame gives him the right to grab one of your daughters, or sisters, or mothers, or wives by any part of their bodies. Vote for Joe! He’s a good person."
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In response to Lady Gaga's (real name Stefani Germanotta) announcement, the Trump campaign released a press release slating her. Penned by Tim Murtaugh, Trump's communications director, it read:
"Nothing exposes Joe Biden’s disdain for the working men and women of Pennsylvania like campaigning with anti-fracking activist Lady Gaga.
"Biden repeatedly promised left-wing activists he would end fracking, which would be an economic death sentence and financial Armageddon for families in Pennsylvania and across the country."
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Meanwhile, Trump himself took to Twitter to personally comment on Gaga's allegiance to Biden, writing to his 87.7 million followers:
"Just learned that Sleepy Joe Biden is campaigning in Pennsylvania with Lady Gaga, a proud member of 'Artists Against Fracking.' This is more proof that he would ban Fracking and skyrocket your energy prices."
Trump also attacked Gaga's character at a rally of his own in Pennsylvania, stating that: "I could tell you stories about Lady Gaga. I know a lot of stories."
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Lady Gaga responded by writing on Twitter: "HEY TIM HEY @realDonaldTrump SO HAPPY IM GLAD TO BE LIVING RENT FREE in your HEAD. #BidenHarris [sic]."
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However, Donald Trump himself has also provoked controversy, by appearing to announce his own victory in the election before the ballot had been properly counted.