Selena Gomez Faces Backlash Over Recent Social Media Post
Selena Gomez has reportedly lost over 700,000 Instagram followers after sharing a post reacting to Donald Trump’s new executive orders. Since taking office just a few weeks ago, the 47th president has introduced controversial changes to immigration policies, including renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
Gomez, known for her outspoken stance on social issues, expressed her dismay over these policies by posting a video of herself crying on social media. Trump’s executive orders are expected to impact millions of undocumented immigrants, causing widespread fear and uncertainty. In the emotional video, Gomez tearfully said, “I’m so sorry. All my people are getting attacked. The children, I don’t understand. I wish I could do something, but I can’t. I don’t know what to do. I’ll try everything, I promise.”
The post was later deleted, and Gomez followed up with another message, stating, “Apparently, it’s not okay to show empathy for people.” According to Critique, a platform tracking celebrity social media activity, Gomez’s Instagram account has seen a significant drop in followers since the controversy.
Paul Lenglet, co-founder and editor of CritiqueJeu, commented, “Selena Gomez had a great end to 2024, but the start of 2025 has not been so gentle on her.” He added that the star has faced criticism for her involvement in the film Emilia Pérez, which was directed and filmed in Paris but set in Mexico. CritiqueJeu’s analysis indicates that Gomez has lost approximately 808,500 followers in the past month alone.
Meanwhile, former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director Tom Homan has been appointed as the Trump administration’s ‘border czar,’ leading the crackdown on immigration. Homan explained that military forces have been deployed to the Mexican border to strengthen enforcement, emphasizing the administration’s strict stance. “If you’re in the country illegally, you’re on the table, because it’s not OK to violate the laws of this country,” he said.
Trump’s immigration policies include the largest deportation operation in U.S. history, targeting up to 20 million undocumented immigrants. The president stated, “We will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came.” Migrants accused of crimes will be prioritized for deportation, but all undocumented individuals in the U.S. could also face removal.
The policy also allows for ‘collateral arrests,’ meaning undocumented individuals found near those accused of crimes may still be detained. Federal agencies, including the FBI, DEA, and ATF, have been directed to search their records for undocumented migrants. Additionally, Trump has reversed protections that previously prevented arrests at sensitive locations like schools and churches.
Other controversial measures include expanding the refugee travel ban, ending birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants, and suspending asylum claims for those who enter the country illegally. Trump has also reinstated the ‘Remain in Mexico’ program, requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico until their U.S. hearings, prompting the Mexican government to prepare for an influx of deportees.
As these policies unfold, Gomez’s emotional response highlights the ongoing debate over immigration and the human impact of these sweeping changes.