Clad in a green outfit and body paint, Chappell Roan took the stage as the Statue of Liberty at Governors Ball Musical Festival last weekend to speak out against President Joe Biden’s perceived failure to provide freedom, justice, and liberty for all.
Having been invited to perform at a White House Pride event, Roan declined and explained why live on stage. Reciting from the poem engraved on the NYC monument, she declared:
“The White House who asked me to perform at Pride: we want liberty, justice and freedom for all. When you do that, that’s when I’ll come,” she said.
Born Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, Chappell Roan is a 26-year-old lesbian pop singer with over 19.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify. She is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ and women’s rights, both represented by her music and public appearances. Her 2022 Naked in America Tour had drag performers open for Roan.
Recent performances on Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts World Tour and at Coachella have seen the artist from small-town Missouri explode into a pop culture sensation. Roan’s choice to use her rapidly growing platform to critique President Biden’s stances on various hot-button issues has her fans, along with the Left, divided.
Roan’s statement comprised multiple grievances with President Biden’s stances on social issues. Referring to the Statue of Liberty’s famous poem, “That means freedom in trans rights. That means freedom in women’s rights.” While Biden has reversed several harmful decisions by the Trump Administration, it could be seen as half measures when compared to the daily discrimination and targeted attacks that are aimed at reproductive rights and trans healthcare.
Roan also mentioned Biden’s refusal to aid the people of Palestine during Israel’s ongoing genocide on Gaza, adding, “It especially means freedom for all oppressed people in occupied territories.”
@chappellroan happy pride usa xoxo lady liberty ｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆ video @govballnyc @Respective Collective ♬ original sound – chappell roan
Roan received criticism for her statement against the White House, primarily from liberals thinking she should have instead spoke against Donald Trump’s campaign.
Roan’s choice to dress as Lady Liberty is especially poignant following Biden’s executive order announced on June 4, which barred immigrants from seeking asylum at the United States’ border. While a second term under Donald Trump would undoubtedly present problems for the LGBTQ+ community, it nevertheless remains important to critique every party and political figure, especially when they aren’t meeting the people’s demands.
When Biden puts in the effort beyond the bare minimum, he will earn genuine support from individuals who don’t currently feel supported by the president.
Photo courtesy of Julianna O’Clair
