Bette Midler has never been one to hold back (Image: Getty)
Bette Midler, a beloved icon in Hollywood and on Broadway, has consistently captivated audiences with her talent and unapologetic personality.
However, the actress and singer’s outspoken nature has not been without controversy. Over the years, her bold remarks and actions have often sparked heated debates, particularly on social media.
Among her most contentious moments were accusations of transphobia and racism following divisive comments that many viewed as insensitive.
Midler also made headlines when she suggested she would consider self-harm if secured the U.S. presidency, a remark that was met with widespread criticism and concern.
These controversies ultimately led the star to step away from ’s rebranded Twitter platform, now known as “X,” where she had become a polarizing figure.
As the Hocus Pocus star celebrates her 79th birthday, let’s take a look back at the star’s most controversial moments.
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The star was ripped by followers and accused of being an out-of-touch elite (Image: Getty)
Offensive Rant
Bette Midler was been forced to apologize after sparking mass outrage for branding the entire state of West Virginia “poor, illiterate and strung out.”
The diva used the less than divine choice of words for the Mountain State in an X shot at rebel Democratic Senator Joe Manchin for torpedoing President Biden’s multitrillion-dollar spending plans.
“What #JoeManchin, who represents a population smaller than Brooklyn, has done to the rest of America, who wants to move forward, not backward, like his state, is horrible. He sold us out,” the outspoken star blasted.
“He wants us all to be just like his state, West Virginia. Poor, illiterate and strung out,” she wrote.
She was quickly ripped by followers and accused of being an out-of-touch elite.
“This is exactly what they think of good hardworking Americans that live outside of their elite bulls–t NY/LA bubbles,” Jr. said late Monday as he shared Midler’s attack.
“They hate that a Democrat would actually represent his constituents rather than follow blindly the insane and radical plans of lunatic DC Dems!”
Others shared similar outrage, with another online user saying Midler’s tweet “is just a simple reminder of how the ‘elite’ feel about normal Americans.”
After the furious backlash, the Beaches actress tweeted an apology “to the good people of WVA” for her “outburst.”
“I’m just seeing red; #JoeManchin and his whole family are a criminal enterprise,” the star tweeted, asking if he was “really the best WV has to offer its own citizens” and suggesting he put his own interests ahead of his state’s citizens.
Many of her followers said the apology came “too late,” suggesting she had expressed her true feelings and “said the quiet part out loud.”
“Apology not accepted. At all! That is obviously what you think of us, if it weren’t then you would have never thought to say it in the first place,” Jesseca Martin wrote.
“Sooo, when you get really upset your true inner voice comes out? Got it!” someone else asked the star. “This is who you are and what you think.”
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Fans argued that the language in her post was exclusionary and anti-trans (Image: Getty)
Transphobia Allegations
The outspoken redhead found herself at the centre of controversy in 2022 after posting a tweet about women’s rights that some fans perceived as transphobic. The actress initially wrote:
“WOMEN OF THE WORLD! We are being stripped of our rights over our bodies, our lives and even of our name! They don’t call us ‘women’ anymore; they call us ‘birthing people’ or ‘menstruators,’ and even ‘people with vaginas’! Don’t let them erase you! Every human on earth owes you!”
While many fans interpreted the tweet as a critique of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and the resulting abortion bans in some states, others argued that the language in her post was exclusionary and anti-trans.
Following the backlash, Midler clarified her intentions in a series of follow-up tweets, insisting that her remarks were not meant to exclude or offend the transgender community. She explained that her original post was inspired by a New York Times opinion piece.
“PEOPLE OF THE WORLD! My tweet about women was a response to this fascinating and well-written piece in the NYT on July 3rd,” Midler wrote. “There was no intention of anything exclusionary or transphobic in what I said; it wasn’t about that.”
She went on to say her post was addressing broader societal issues faced by women throughout history. “It was about the same old s— women — ALL WOMEN — have been putting up with since the cavemen. Even then, men got top billing.”
The star faced outrage for the post (Image: X)
Racism Accusations
More controversry followed the star after she took to Twitter to share what were dubbed “racist” tweets that got her into some trouble with fans.
“Women, are the n-word of the world,” she wrote in a later-deleted tweet. “Raped, beaten, enslaved, married off, worked like dumb animals; denied education and inheritance; enduring the pain and danger of childbirth and life In Silence for Thousands of years. They are the most disrespected creatures on earth.”
She later tried to defend her words by saying her words came from a 1970s John Lennon and Yoko Ono song. “I gather I have offended many by my last tweet,” she wrote in another since-deleted tweet. “‘Women are the…etc’ is a quote from Yoko Ono from 1972, which I never forgot.”
In another moment Bette Midler was again being accused of posting a racist tweet.
The legendary singer and actress is well known for being a critic of President . She tweeted an image showing a group of black people seen in the crowd at a Trump rally.
“Look, there are African American men in this shot!,” Midler tweeted. “How much did he pay them to be “blackground”?” The tweet drew backlash — especially from the right.
“This is one of the most racist, degrading ‘jokes’ I’ve seen on Twitter & that’s saying a lot,” actress Kirstie Alley tweeted. “We get it Bette, you hate Trump & that’s your right but to imply Black men have to be PAID to celebrate their OWN political views is pure and REAL racism. And “BLACKGROUND”?? WTF??!!”
Bette Midler took to X to share what were dubbed “racist” tweets (Image: Getty)
Quit X
Bette Midler finally deleted her X account following ’s victory over in the U.S. presidential election, after previously declaring she would “drink drain cleaner” if he were re-elected. Prior to the results, Midler shared a now-infamous photo featuring a bottle of champagne labelled “If Kamala wins” and a bottle of Drano, a brand of drain cleaner, labelled “If Trump wins.”
The Wind Beneath My Wings singer and Hocus Pocus actress was vocal throughout Election Day, encouraging voters to stay in line as she tracked the results in real time. According to archived Google results, Midler frequently expressed her support for and her disdain for , making her political stance clear to her followers.
As the results began favouring Trump, Midler shared her frustration, posting a meme of the U.S. map scribbled in red and blue crayon. After Trump’s victory was confirmed, she quoted author H. L. Mencken, writing: “On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”
Midler’s decision to leave X drew mixed reactions online. Many celebrated her departure, with one user writing: “Bette Midler is off X… America is Greater on day one!” Another quipped, “Bette Midler deleted her X account. Finally,” while a third added, “Bette Midler has closed down her X account in protest. TAXI!”
Midler, who received a Kennedy Center Honor from President in 2021, deactivated her account shortly after Trump’s win. It remains unclear whether she deleted the account herself or if it was removed by the -owned platform.