Backlash Erupts on Social Media as Power Couple Accused of Coziness with Trump Family Amid Political Tensions

September 16, 2025

Atlantic City, New Jersey – A star-studded charity gala hosted by Jay-Z and Meek Mill turned into a flashpoint of controversy over the weekend, after photos surfaced showing Beyoncé and Jay-Z sharing a table with Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner. The unexpected seating arrangement at the REFORM Alliance Casino Night has ignited fierce backlash from fans and activists, who accuse the music icons of softening their long-standing opposition to the Trump family.

The event, held Saturday at the Ocean Casino Resort here, aimed to raise funds for criminal justice reform – a cause close to Jay-Z's heart as a co-founder of the nonprofit organization. Attendees included high-profile figures like Michael Rubin and Gisele Bündchen, with Jay-Z even auctioning off a custom watch for $1.5 million. However, it was a seemingly innocuous photo of the power couples mingling that set social media ablaze, drawing accusations of political hypocrisy.

Critics on X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit wasted no time in condemning the Carters. "This is only surprising to people who haven’t followed Beyoncé for years," one Reddit user posted in a thread that garnered over 11,000 upvotes, suggesting the singer's history of celebrity associations has long hinted at such alignments. Another X user fumed, "Acting as though Bey was at Jury Duty. That woman and her husband chose to have the Kushners and Trumps at their table. She’s fucking Beyonce, she could’ve stayed home if she wanted to." The sentiment echoed widely, with posts labeling the duo as "awful" for "cozying up to a Zionist and Trump’s daughter."

The backlash is particularly pointed given Beyoncé and Jay-Z's vocal support for Democratic causes. Beyoncé delivered a passionate speech at a Kamala Harris rally last year, emphasizing the election's importance as a mother of three, and issued a cease-and-desist order against Donald Trump's use of her song "Freedom" in his campaign. Jay-Z, meanwhile, has clashed publicly with Trump, who once insulted him during a 2020 rally as part of a broader attack on celebrity endorsers like Beyoncé and Lady Gaga. Yet, as one X critic noted, "mind you, Jay Z is a founding partner of that organization and a co-host of the event – which means he had a say about who’s on the guest list."

Defenders of the couple pushed back swiftly, arguing the seating was logistical rather than ideological. "When has Beyoncé sitting beside anyone mean they are friends? Not even at The Grammy’s where she is most recognized. Y’all still sit at work in the same org with your misogynistic and racist colleagues," one fan tweeted. Another reminded detractors: "‘Beyoncé is MAGA’ the same Beyoncé that attended and gave a FULL SPEECH at Kamala’s rally? The same Beyonce that sent a cease and desist on Trump for using ‘Freedom’ on his campaign?" The debate highlights the impossible tightrope celebrities walk in politically charged times, where even charity events can be dissected for partisan undertones.

This isn't the first time the Carters have faced scrutiny over perceived political proximity. In 2020, they drew conservative ire for sitting during the Super Bowl national anthem, with Fox News host Tomi Lahren blasting them for disrespecting the nation despite their wealth and success. Trump himself has repeatedly targeted Beyoncé, falsely claiming last year that she was paid $11 million for a brief Harris endorsement appearance – an allegation that prompted calls for investigations into celebrity campaign involvement.

As of Tuesday morning, neither Beyoncé nor Jay-Z's representatives had commented on the gala seating or the ensuing uproar. The REFORM Alliance emphasized the event's focus on bipartisan reform efforts, noting that guests were seated to maximize networking opportunities. Still, the viral photos – showing the group smiling and relaxed – have left a "sour taste" for many in Black Twitter and beyond, fueling broader conversations about celebrity accountability in an era of deepening divides.

The incident comes amid heightened political tensions, with Donald Trump recently ramping up attacks on Harris supporters like Beyoncé and Bruce Springsteen via Truth Social. For now, the Carters remain silent, but the online firestorm shows no signs of cooling.