Cher is facing significant backlash for her tweet regarding the tragic death of George Floyd. Known for her eccentric and candid updates on Twitter, the iconic singer has always been vocal about pressing issues. However, her recent comments surrounding George Floyd’s murder during the trial of Derek Chauvin, the police officer charged in connection with Floyd’s death, have raised eyebrows.
In a now-deleted tweet, Cher suggested that had she been present when Floyd was being restrained by Chauvin, she might have been able to intervene. She recounted a conversation with her mother, sharing her feelings: “Was talking With Mom & she said, ‘I Watched Trial Of Policeman Who Killed George Floyd & Cried.’ I responded, ‘Mom, I Know This Is Gonna Sound CRAZY, But… I Kept Thinking… Maybe If I’d Been There… I Could’ve Helped😔.” Soon after, she followed up with another tweet, still up, emphasizing her emotional response as an entertainer, stating, “I CAN, I HAVE, & I WILL… HELP.”
Fans quickly pointed out that while her intentions might have been sincere, her statement implied that bystanders could have prevented Floyd’s death, which they did not. Notably, a child had previously testified during the trial that Chauvin ignored repeated pleas to remove his knee from Floyd’s neck. Additionally, her comments hinted at “white saviorism,” a perception that privileged individuals believe they alone can rectify societal issues.
Despite the backlash, some fans acknowledged that Cher’s heart was in the right place, sharing a common wish that Floyd were still alive and that his life had not ended so tragically. Following the uproar, Cher took to Twitter again to apologize: “I Just got off phone With Friend Karen. Told her what Happened, & Realized, You Can Piss Ppl Off & Hurt Them By Not Knowing Everything That’s ‘NOT Appropriate’ To Say.”