Natasha Lyonne sparked debate over her political views after appearing to express a preference for President Donald Trump over Vice President JD Vance.
The "Russian Doll" actress reacted to a video showing a protester interrupting Vance and calling for the release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Lyonne criticized Vance and said she preferred Trump to the vice president.
"Sketchy mofo - prefer trump - this s--- is even scarier - don’t really know how we arrived at this aesthetic as baseline normal, but c’est la dominoes, etc. Octavia Butler was a soothsayer. Grimey times," Lyonne wrote in response to the video.
The 47-year-old actress' remark that she would "prefer Trump" prompted questions about her political views, with some social media users interpreting the comment as support for Trump and others suggesting she was simply expressing a preference for him over Vance.
Lyonne fueled further speculation Tuesday when she reposted a message from Trump thanking Elon Musk for pledging to donate SpaceX stock to millions of American children through Trump Accounts. She added four emojis — a rocket, a saluting face, a sun and a smiling face with sunglasses — without offering a written explanation.
"Natasha Lyonne going full MAGA is depressing as hell," one user wrote.
Another commenter mocked the backlash, posting: "Natasha Lyonne drops four emojis on a Trump post and the left is already planning her cancellation. Tolerance at its finest."
One person said, "Everyone prefers Trump - we all voted for him." Meanwhile, another added, "Why is this controversial? Do you say people supporting Dems is controversial?"
The posts drew conflicting interpretations from social media users, with some questioning Lyonne's apparent preference for Trump and others cautioning against assuming her political views solely from her posts.
One user wrote, "'Prefer Trump'? Why? ..."
Others questioned why the post was being interpreted as support for the president.
"How … are y'all reading this like she actually likes trump."
Another commenter defended Lyonne, writing, "Can people on this app be normal for like five minutes … this is crazy, I feel like I’m going insane. Is everyone okay?"
The American rocker told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview that his political convictions have cost him corporate opportunities and late-night appearances, but he has no regrets about putting his beliefs first.
Now, as he embraces a new chapter with his faith-inspired album, "Halfway 2 Jesus," the rocker says he's more concerned with sharing his message than winning back the entertainment industry.
Kid Rock, born Robert James Ritchie, has publicly supported President Donald Trump. He said the professional fallout has brought something he considers far more valuable — the freedom to speak his mind.
"My relationship with Trump, yeah, that canceled all the, uh, any corporate deals coming my way. I don't really get invited to be part of, you know, things like the NFL or things like that … all the shows that I was so friendly with over the years, from all the late-night talk shows to my friend Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon, I don't really get invited on there anymore," he said.
"But who's to say that won't change … and I honestly, I don't care."
The rocker said he expected to lose opportunities when he became more vocal about politics.
"I put my country before pretty much everything except my family and God," he said. "So, yeah. There's been things like that, but that's no sweat off my back."
WATCH: KID ROCK SAYS SUPPORTING TRUMP 'CANCELED ALL' CORPORATE DEALS AND LATE-NIGHT SHOW INVITES
Kid Rock said he no longer has much patience for the corporate maneuvering that once came with his career, particularly when it meant worrying about how his opinions might affect his next opportunity.
"I didn't enjoy the rat race of the music business. It was very necessary, and I'm glad I did it. And I'm thankful for all the opportunities that got me to where I am today," he said.
"But the message I'm putting out now is so much more important than any of that."
Kid Rock said he once felt pressure to watch what he said in the entertainment industry. Now, he enjoys speaking his mind without worrying about the professional consequences.
"And years ago, when I went on this path to be more vocal and outspoken, I knew that stuff was going to go away. But man, let me tell you what freedom feels like," he said.
"To be able to speak your mind anywhere, anytime and really exercise … the freedom of speech that so many brave souls died for, to be able to express that, when I want and how I want and not have to worry about anything in between."
"No radio station. No corporate deal or show or anything, you know … it's just the biggest, most awesome feeling of freedom that one could ever imagine," he said.
Kid Rock's next move isn't about winning back Hollywood.
It's about faith, forgiveness and a rock 'n' roll revival.
WATCH: KID ROCK ADMITS EMINEM CRITICIZING TRUMP TESTED THEIR FRIENDSHIP
The rocker said his new album, "Halfway 2 Jesus," blends Christian themes with high-energy rock and features a collaboration with his friend of nearly 40 years, Eminem, who has publicly criticized Trump.
The "Cowboy" singer told Fox News Digital that Eminem's public criticism of Trump had tested their relationship, particularly after the rapper criticized the president in a performance at the 2017 BET Hip Hop Awards.
"There's been moments when, yeah, friendships have been tested. With Eminem, it would probably be, you know, when he did the thing at the BET Awards, where he's just going hard in the paint against Trump," Kid Rock said.
Kid Rock said he ultimately respected his longtime friend's right to express his views despite their political differences.
"But you know what I mean? At the end of the day, I looked at it like, man, that's his truth. That's how he feels," he said.
"I genuinely don't like people talking about my friends in a bad way, and I'm very quick to defend them, family and friends. But when you're in the political arena, that’s a whole different ballgame," he said.
WATCH: KID ROCK CREDITS ERIKA KIRK'S FORGIVENESS OF HUSBAND'S ACCUSED ASSASSIN WITH TRANSFORMING HIS FAITH
For Kid Rock, the Eminem collaboration carries a message beyond music. In the foreword to "Halfway 2 Jesus," he said he hopes their friendship serves as an example for people whose political differences have strained personal relationships.
"We differ politically and on other things, but we've stayed friends through it all," he wrote. "We hope that sets an example for people who've lost friends or stopped talking to family because they think differently."
Kid Rock said his new album, "Halfway 2 Jesus," grew out of a deepening faith following the September 2025 assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The rocker said he attended Kirk's memorial with his son and was moved by Kirk's widow, Erika, who publicly forgave the man accused of killing her husband.
"And when Erika got up there and forgave his murderer, about dropped me to my knees," he told Fox News Digital.
"It just brought tears to my eyes that someone could be that forgiving and I just started to become closer in my faith, pray a little bit more, pay attention to things around me."
In the album's foreword, Kid Rock described the project as a blend of Christian messages and high-energy rock 'n' roll.
"This is a collection of songs I'd want to hear at a Saturday night revival: people drinking beer, having a great time, and celebrating our Lord and Savior," he wrote. "Positive messages and a full-on rock concert."
Despite concerns the album could alienate some fans, Kid Rock said he accepted the risk.
"Before I even started this album, I made peace with the possibility that it could kill my career or take me to heights unknown. I'm content with either," he wrote.
Kid Rock's album, "Halfway 2 Jesus," is available now.
Matthew McConaughey's call to rethink America's two-party political system has sparked a heated debate on social media, with some critics accusing the Oscar-winning actor of promoting a "privileged perspective" ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
On Sunday, McConaughey took to social media and challenged the long-held notion that voting for an independent candidate is a wasted vote, arguing that just a handful of independent lawmakers could dramatically shift the balance of power in Washington.
"They've been telling us for years that an independent vote is a wasted vote," McConaughey said in a video shared on Instagram. "Well, a great question for our times is, has that unwasted vote been working out for you?"
While the actor insisted he was not endorsing a particular candidate or political party, his message quickly drew criticism from social media users who questioned the timing of his remarks and warned against encouraging independent voting ahead of November's elections.
"This message is so irresponsible right now. Do the math. Willie Nelson would not be impressed," one user commented.
Another accused the Hollywood star of being out of touch with the challenges facing everyday Americans.
"I understand that you're in a tax bracket where government decisions don't affect you like it does majority of constituents, but this isn't the time my guy," the user wrote. "Our government is doing their damnest to silence the lower and middle classes. These are incredibly dangerous times and we've got to get this administration OUT."
A third critic slammed McConaughey's message as "ridiculous," arguing that his celebrity status and financial security bar him from facing the consequences of political decisions.
"This is a ridiculous, privileged perspective from someone with nothing to lose either way," the commenter wrote.
"Both sides absolutely have faults but one is dragging us deeper into cruel chaos, a broken economy, abducting our neighbors off the street, enforcing violence on its own citizens, stripping women of rights, trying actively to take away this vote you're encouraging people to utilize," the user continued.
"If you're gonna hop on instagram with your quick hot take this close to a crucial election period, at least say something substantive and try to stand on the correct side."
Despite the backlash, others rushed to McConaughey's defense, praising the actor for challenging political divisions and encouraging Americans to consider alternatives to the two major parties.
"The comments tell the whole story and prove his point to a T," one supporter wrote. "Politicization has warped our minds away from common sense and consistent, integrity based, civic duty or political participation."
"The problem is that you make too much sense," a third supporter commented. "The majority of people commenting are the ones that wouldn't stand with us in the middle anyway."
In his video, McConaughey argued that independent voters deserve a greater voice in Washington, pointing to the growing number of Americans who identify as politically independent.
"The number one political identity in America today is not Republican. It is not Democrat. It is independent," he said. "More of us than either party. So independents belong in the fight. Not as a protest, not as a spoiler, but as a real and potential winner on the ballot and considered seriously by us."
The "Dallas Buyers Club" star went on to argue that electing even a small number of lawmakers who refuse to align themselves with either major party could force Republicans and Democrats to negotiate more frequently.
"Here's the math that the parties pray you never do," he said, arguing that three to five independent lawmakers could become decisive votes in a closely divided Congress.
"Nothing passes without them," he said. "Every bill has to come through the middle, which means both parties would finally have to compete for the middle. Most of us."
However, the actor emphasized that his message was not an endorsement of the organization or any political candidate.
"I am not here today to endorse a candidate or a party," he said. "I am here endorsing two things. Fairness and reality."
As the midterm elections approach, McConaughey encouraged Americans to research the candidates on their ballots and consider whether independent contenders reflect their values.
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