Singer Rihanna has drawn attention to the role of voter apathy in Donald Trump’s return to the White House, arguing that Americans who failed to vote in the 2024 presidential election also contributed to the political outcome now facing the country.

The singer made the observation while reacting to a viral video of an interview featuring former MSNBC host Joy Reid and journalist Charles M. Blow, who discussed the political and economic consequences of Trump’s second administration.

In the interview, Reid argued that Americans should take responsibility for the financial controversies surrounding the administration, given that voters chose to return Trump to office.

Rihanna, however, broadened the argument beyond those who voted for the Republican president, pointing to eligible voters who stayed away from the polls as part of the problem.

“Believe it or not, those who didn’t vote at all also did this!” she wrote in the comments section of the Instagram post.

Her reaction highlights the debate over whether electoral non-participation can indirectly influence political outcomes, particularly when the policies of an elected government begin to affect citizens’ economic circumstances.

Trump defeated Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, securing another four-year term after losing his re-election bid to Joe Biden in 2020.