Gloria Gaynor, one of the most iconic singers of the disco era with strong fan bases among Black and LGBTQ+ communities, has been drawn into the political spotlight after being chosen by President Donald Trump to receive one of the nation’s most prestigious honors for artists. As many of her fans have urged Gaynor to reject her inclusion in this year’s Kennedy Center Honors due to Trump’s policies, others have questioned whether Gaynor aligns politically with the president. A new report indicates that Gaynor has actively supported right-wing candidates and causes in recent years.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an event at the Kennedy Center on August 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump announced country music artist George Strait, actor Michael Crawford, actor Sylvester Stallone, singer Gloria Gaynor and members of the rock band Kiss as the first nominees of the annual Kennedy Center Honors since taking control of the center’s board earlier this year. | Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Gaynor donated thousands to Republicans, a report shows
A new report by MeidasTouch Network claims that Gaynor, born Gloria Fowles, has donated thousands of dollars to nearly two dozen Republican political figures and organizations. The report, drawn from FEC filing records, lists donations made by Gloria Fowles in 2023-2024 to politicians such as House Speaker Mike Johnson, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Sens. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Ted Cruz of Texas and Josh Hawley of Missouri. Fowles, listed as an “Entertainer” with a New Jersey address in receipts posted by MTN, also donated to organizations such as the New Journey PAC, which the report describes as an organization that conducts outreach to Black voters on behalf of politicians, including Trump and Florida Rep. Byron Donalds.
MeidasTouch Networks notes that this political activity by Gaynor appears to be a recent shift. In 2017, during Trump’s first term, Gaynor commented during a speech at the Library of Congress, “I’m really not a political person so I’m not about to really become political.” Although her speech argued that “a lot needs to change,” her comments at the time appear to be nonpartisan. Gaynor also donated $235 to Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson in 2016, but otherwise seems not to have made any other political donations until recently, when she donated a total of almost $22,000 between 2023 and 2024.
Trump’s honoring Gaynor has sparked debate and disappointment over her political stances
Gaynor’s political views have come under question after she was included in a list of artists, mostly popular around the 1980s, who Trump announced would be recognized at this year’s Kennedy Center Honors ceremony in December. The Kennedy Center and its annual honors ceremony have become politicized under Trump, who has asserted direct control over the organization since returning to office. Many of Gaynor’s fans have urged her to reject the award due to Trump’s policies toward Black and LGBTQ+ Americans, two groups who are among Gaynor’s most enthusiastic and supportive fans.
Now that Gaynor’s political donations have been publicized, many people are reacting with disappointment or anger, as her MAGA-leaning political support is being viewed as a betrayal of her LGBTQ+ fans and other supporters of the singer.
“Gloria Gaynor will always be a legend, but it’s surprising to see her donating thousands to politicians whose values don’t exactly line up with the spirit of ‘I Will Survive,” reads one tweet reacting to the news.
Gloria Gaynor will always be a legend, but it’s surprising to see her donating thousands to politicians whose values don’t exactly line up with the spirit of ‘I Will Survive.— web3ninja🥷 (@ninjauwaofweb3) August 26, 2025
“What a shame,” another comment concluded.
I wondered why gay icon, Gloria Gaynor, was willing to be honored at the Kennedy Center since Trump took over. Turns out that she likes to donate to MAGA and even donates to PACs that target black voters. What a shame.https://t.co/pPcBAiOlcw— intro_verted (@VertedIntro) August 27, 2025
“So lemme get this straight, so the gays were booking Gloria Gaynor for years, in return that b***h used the money that she made to donate to the Republican party,” someone else commented; like several tweets reacting to the news, this one also includes an expletive toward Gaynor.
So lemme get this straight, so the gays were booking Gloria Gaynor for years, in return that bitch used the money that she made to donate to the Republican party. FUCK HER.— greg (@mistergeezy) August 27, 2025
Even as Trump and his MAGA base appear to embrace Gaynor, many people from the communities that previously supported her are expressing their anger, dismay and sense of betrayal at the singer’s political actions. Gaynor has remained quiet so far regarding the political controversies she has faced this month. As the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony approaches, we will see if Gaynor uses the event or the months leading up to it to address her fans’ outrage.