Selena Gomez has reportedly lost 715,000 followers in recent weeks after she posted an emotional video over Donald Trump’s deportation policies.
The singer and actress, whose father is of Mexican descent, posted a video expressing her distress over U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations that led to the arrest of 956 undocumented individuals over a three-day period.
“I’m so sorry. All my people are getting attacked,” Gomez said in the since-deleted clip. “The children. I don’t understand. I’m so sorry. I wish I could do something but I can’t. I don’t know what to do. I’ll try everything, I promise.”
The video, which featured a Mexican flag emoji alongside the words “I’m sorry,” quickly drew backlash from conservative commentators.
Shortly after removing the video, Gomez posted an image of a black screen with the message: “Apparently it’s not ok to show empathy for people.”
Selena Gomez shares new Instagram story crying amid the deportation of Mexicans:
“I’m so sorry. All my people are getting attacked. The children, I don’t understand. I wish I could do something.” pic.twitter.com/9H7ojMhpCN
— Pop Base (@PopBase) January 27, 2025
Among the most vocal critics was U.S. Senate candidate Sam Parker, who took to X (formerly Twitter) with the statement: “Deport Selena Gomez.”
The remark was widely condemned, as Gomez is a U.S. citizen born in Texas. However, Parker doubled down on his stance, later posting on Instagram that he was engaged in a “war against a bunch of r******* Selena Gomez fans.”
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In response, Gomez addressed Parker directly via Instagram Stories. “Oh Mr. Parker, Mr. Parker. Thanks for the laugh and the threat,” she wrote.
While the exact reason for her follower decline remains unclear, data from Social Blade confirms that the singer has lost more than 715,000 followers over the last 30 days.
Gomez has long been an advocate for immigration rights, frequently speaking about the issue due to her family’s own history.
In 2019, she produced the Netflix docuseries Living Undocumented, which highlighted the struggles of undocumented families in the U.S.
That same year, she wrote an op-ed for Time, revealing that her aunt was the first in her family to cross the U.S.-Mexico border in the 1970s. “My grandparents followed, and my father was born in Texas soon after,” she shared.
“Undocumented immigration is an issue I think about every day, and I never forget how blessed I am to have been born in this country thanks to my family and the grace of circumstance,” she added.
Gomez is not the only celebrity facing social media backlash.
Kim Kardashian reportedly lost just under 150,000 Instagram followers after posting a photo of First Lady Melania Trump.
The Kardashians star, 44, shared an image of Melania’s inauguration outfit, designed by New York-based Adam Lippes.
While Kardashian has never publicly disclosed her political stance, some social media users perceived the post as a political statement.
According to influencer marketing agency Socially Powerful, her follower count dropped by 144,963 last week, as reported by the New York Post.
