Kim Kardashian posted a photo of Melania Trump at the inauguration. Then came the backlash.
For nearly two decades, Kim Kardashian “broke the internet” with her bare-bottomed magazine spreads and bikini-clad Instagram selfies.
But on Monday, the reality TV personality broke the internet with an Instagram Story of somebody else: First Lady Melania Trump. The snap, which featured Trump’s viral wide-brimmed hat at her husband President Donald Trump’s inauguration, took Kardashian fans by surprise.
Despite sharing a close relationship with first daughter Ivanka Trump, the Skims founder and her famous family rarely publicize their political leanings and when they do, the Kardashian-Jenner clan tend to lean towards Democrats.
The post has ignited backlash because Kardashian — one of the most outspoken, famous and influential women in the world — rarely speaks up about her politics and remained mum during the 2024 presidential election.
In 2016, Kardashian endorsed former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in her race against President Trump, which he ultimately won. After former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris won in 2020, she posted three blue hearts on X alongside a picture of the pair.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Kardashian’s Instagram Story took a portion of her 350 million followers by surprise — and fans can’t seem to keep up with the Skkn mogul.
Usha Vance stunned. Melania Trump causesa stir. 10 fashion moments defining the inauguration
Fans lash out at Kim Kardashian for posting Melania Trump
After posting the First Lady, fans lashed out at Kardashian for her perceived endorsement in her Instagram comments. Kardashian posted the photo without comment.
One commenter said, “girl…. sold out out for far right maga propaganda.”
Chicago food blogger Teri Turner of @nocrumbsleft fame commented: “Well at least we can see exactly who you are.”
“UNFOLLOWED!” one user said, while another simply added that “Guys unfollow, don’t watch their show and don’t buy their products. Hit them where it hurts.” Another Instagram account that commented said, “You post Melania but not Martin” as Inauguration Day landed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Melania Trump post follows Donald Trump’s frustration with Kardashian
The President and Kardashian had a rift following their successful working relationship on criminal just reform during Trump’s first term.
After Trump’s first presidency, Kardashian reached out to him at his Mar-a-Lago estate in hopes he would endorse another clemency plea. The former president refused because he believed she voted for President Joe Biden in the 2020 race for the White House.
Kardashian has not confirmed who she voted for in the 2020 presidential election. However, she publicly applauded Trump for working with her and the incarcerated people she has advocated for across the country. The reality TV star in 2019 admitted that she “did consider the fact that I would get a lot of backlash if I went to the White House.”
In October 2023, Kim Kardashian posted photo of Ivanka Trump
Kardashian previously enraged some fans when she posted photos from her 43rd birthday party with Ivanka Trump at Funke restaurant in Beverly Hills, California.
“So blessed to have hit the jackpot of friends! I couldn’t have ever dreamed I would be so lucky to call these girls my friends ✨ thank you for all the birthday love ❤️” she captioned the carousel, which featured the Trump heiress alongside Hollywood producer Lydia Kives and Jeff Bezos’ fiancé Lauren Sánchez.
The Terra and Traveler have retro looks, a body-on-frame platform, electric power, and an available plug-in-hybrid setup that should eliminate range anxiety.
For those who remember the Scout name from the 1960s and ‘70s when it was owned by International Harvester, nostalgia should suffice for an introduction. For everyone else, meet the forthcoming Scout Terra pickup truck and Traveler SUV, a pair of electric off-roaders from this revived brand. They don’t just rely on retro styling, though, as their body-on-frame construction and solid rear axle are unique among EVs and should make them capable. The Scout siblings will also be sold as plug-in hybrids, which could help encourage adoption.
While electric pickup trucks and electric SUVs continue to proliferate, it’s currently slim pickings when it comes to serious off-roaders. The Terra and Traveler look to fill that niche, aided by their plug-in-hybrid variants that will eliminate range anxiety.
Scout’s proprietary platform combines an old-school body-on-frame configuration with new-age electric powertrains. The Ford F-150 Lightning also rides on frame rails, but unlike the Ford’s independent rear suspension, the Scouts feature a solid rear axle—a setup that’s currently not offered on any other production EV.
Both the pickup and the SUV will be available with two powertrains. The EV versions will have an 800-volt architecture and an electric motor on each axle, as well as mechanical locking front and rear differentials. Scout hasn’t announced a combined horsepower figure, but it’s estimating the all-wheel-drive setup will combine for 1000 pound-feet of torque. The PHEV models will use a gas-fed engine that only charges the battery and doesn’t power the wheels. Without the “Harvester” range-extender, Scout estimates the all-electric Terra and Traveler will be able to go up to 350 miles on a full charge. The Harvester models should be good for over 500 miles, Scout says.
The Scout models will go up against electric vehicles including the Ford F-150 Lightning, GMC Hummer EV pickup and Hummer EV SUV, Jeep Recon, and Rivian R1S and R1T. The Terra and Traveler’s “Harvester” setups will also face off against plug-in hybrids such as the Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Ram 1500 Ramcharger.
