Rachel Zegler issued an apology after her frustrated comments about the results of the 2024 election — including “Fuck Donald Trump” — drew backlash from conservatives.
In a note shared on her Instagram Story, Zegler said she “would like to sincerely apologize” for the posts she shared last week. “I let my emotions get the best of me,” the actress continued. “Hatred and anger have caused us to move further and further away from peace and understanding, and I am sorry I contributed to the negative discourse.”
Zegler closed by saying, “This week has been emotional for so many of us, but I firmly believe that everyone has the right to their opinion, even when it differs from my own. I am committed to contributing positively toward a better tomorrow.”
Like many other celebrities after the election, Zegler's original multi-story Instagram post found her expressing her frustration with the result of the election and fears about a second Trump term. She also offered support to those who felt similarly and encouraged people to leave Twitter/X due to Elon Musk's support of Trump.
Echoing a statement made by Ethel Cain, Zegler said, “May Trump supporters and Trump voters and Trump himself never know peace.” And in her final post — which she apparently sent out in between acts of Romeo + Juliet — she ended by saying, “I will love through these four years as best I can. Fuck Donald Trump.”
Unsurprisingly, Ziegler's posts garnered fierce reactions from conservatives. Megyn Kelly led the charge, calling Zegler a “pig” and suggesting she be dropped from the upcoming remake of Snow White. (Zegler had already drawn conservative culture war ire for criticizing some of the elements of the Walt Disney cartoon, which she said was partly about “a guy who literally stalks” Snow White.)
Kelly also claimed Gina Carano was “fired” from The Mandalorian for “far less than this nonsense,” referencing the actress' dismissal from the show after she compared the treatment of conservatives in the US to Jews during the Holocaust. (Carano has since filed a wrongful termination suit against Disney, with help from Musk.)
Zegler is currently making her Broadway debut in Romeo + Julietthe new adaptation of the Shakespeare classic, which features music from Jack Antonoff. Later this year, she'll appear in Kyle Mooney's comedy Y2Kas well as the Netflix animated musical, Spellbound.
