Azealia Banks recently lashed out at former President Donald Trump, branding him “fat” in an Instagram tirade triggered by a post from Candace Owens.
Owens, a conservative commentator, had shared a promotion for her upcoming interview with Joe Budden on her podcast. In the caption, Owens mentioned that the interview would cover her perspectives on feminism, the LGBTQ community, and the fat acceptance movement.
Banks responded with a series of insults aimed at Owens, before turning her attention to Trump, the presumed Republican presidential nominee, and musician Kanye “Ye” West. Owens gained attention for her support of Trump during his presidency and her close relationship with West.
In her Instagram Story, Banks wrote, “These are not political views; they are opinions. And they are tired as hell. Donald Trump and Kanye are overweight, and we all saw Kanye’s hefty self in the gondola… Where’s the criticism?… Why are we still targeting Lizzo over outdated stuff from years ago?”
While Banks previously expressed admiration for Owens, West, and Trump, she took a critical stance towards them in her recent post. This shift in perspective may have been prompted by Owens’ remarks about Lizzo during her appearance on The Joe Budden Podcast. Owens has been vocal in her criticism of the “Truth Hurts” singer, both on her show and on social media platforms.
During her conversation with Budden, Owens accused Lizzo, also known as Melissa Viviane Jefferson, of “gaslighting” the public. Owens expressed disapproval of what she perceived as Lizzo’s deliberate provocation through actions like wearing a thong and shaking her buttocks, describing such behavior as “outrageous.”
Owens expressed strong disapproval of Lizzo’s provocative behavior, labeling it “disgusting” and “perverted.” She questioned whether there were any safe spaces left, criticizing Lizzo for dismissing objections by saying, “If you don’t like it, that’s your problem.” Owens accused Lizzo of intentionally provoking outrage and then deflecting criticism by portraying dissenters as irrational.
Lizzo seemingly addressed Owens’ remarks in a March 17 Instagram post, where she lip-synced to a viral audio reel. In the video, Lizzo conveyed that negative comments deeply affect her, despite appearing to have a thick skin. She emphasized the need for kindness in interactions moving forward.
In a separate context, Trump’s weight has been a subject of discussion in recent years. In February, he took to social media to denounce a photo allegedly edited to portray him as heavier than he actually is. Trump posted a series of images, one of which he claimed was AI-generated to exaggerate his weight. He criticized the media for resorting to such tactics, asserting that fake news prevails in the country.