Demi Lovato said those who named Donald Trump a Person of the Year runner-up are “hypocrites”
Demi Lovato went off on Time Magazine when they named the Silence Breakers Person of the Year and then named alleged sexual harasser and assaulter (and current president) Donald Trump the runner-up. Sorry, not sorry.
The singer sent out three consecutive tweets detailing her disappointment with the neighboring decisions, pointing out that the women speaking up about sexual assault don’t deserve to be on the same level as an infamous assaulter. Lovato stated that she’s “very disappointed in [Time’s] hypocrisy and disrespect toward the women on [the] cover.”
Time has explained that they choose their POTY based on whom the editors believe influenced the news and events of the past year “for better or worse,” according to the magazine. Editor-in-chief Edward Felsenthal said to Today,
"[Trump is] No. 2 on our list because he's changed the very nature of the presidency and the way the White House functions."
Demi’s vocal anger comes after a few months of admitted silence, saying she’s “become less vocal about my disdain for certain people over the past year because it only divides our country even more.” But Lovato has been outspoken on sexual assault and abuse in the past, standing with Kesha during her legal battles with alleged abuser and producer Dr. Luke. Lovato has also called out other celebrities for simply donating money to the cause instead of taking action. “Take something to [Capitol] Hill,” she tweeted. “Or actually speak out about something and then I’ll be impressed.”
Time mag highlights brave women coming forward against sexual assault on the cover but names a man with sexual assault allegations against him runner up to person of the year.. Really @TIME? #hypocrites
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) December 7, 2017
I’ve become less vocal about my distain for certain people over the past year because it only divides our country even more but this is worth speaking up about. @TIME mag – very disappointed in your hypocrisy and disrespect toward the women on your cover.
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) December 7, 2017
To be named POTY by @TIME it should be for doing something positive or brave LIKE the women on the cover. It’s annoying that it’s just about impact on the news.
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) December 7, 2017
These latest tweets also came in light of the statements from the White House and the official position the administration took on the sexual assault allegations against Trump: the women are lying.
The truth right now is that the women included in Time’s Person of the Year issue do deserve much better than to be spoken about in the same breath as Trump. Lovato’s stance against Time — which included her in this year’s Most Influential list — is an important take on what the media and magazines are really going after. Justice? Or causing a stir? The singer questioning the integrity of Time is a step in the right direction in terms of how we question the way all publications handle the sensitive topic of high-profile sexual assault allegations.
Time has yet to respond to Lovato’s thoughts on Twitter or otherwise.
