In a move sure to raise some eyebrows, Joe Germanotta, the father of pop superstar Lady Gaga, openly endorsed Donald Trump during a Fox & Friends appearance on Thursday.
This endorsement, despite his daughter’s high-profile liberal stance, highlights a deep divide not just across the political spectrum, but even within families. Germanotta pointed to Trump’s policies on the economy and immigration as key reasons for his support, stressing the stark contrast between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee.
Germanotta explained that, for him, the decision was rooted in economic concerns. His restaurant, Joanne Trattoria, had been poised for its best year ever before the pandemic hit, and he’s felt the economic pinch since.
“I’m not voting for people,” he said, emphasizing that, while Trump’s personality may be abrasive, “he is a patriot and his policies are there.” Germanotta praised Trump’s track record for lowering fuel and food prices, pointing to the sharp increase in costs that followed the economic turmoil of COVID-19.
He also echoed Trump’s hardline rhetoric on immigration, referring to the current border crisis as an “invasion,” a term frequently used by the former president. For Germanotta, the issue of illegal immigration is a central one, and he criticized the lack of action under the Democratic administration.
“Don’t let the protesters burn down our cities and small businesses,” he added, voicing his support for law enforcement and the need to keep jobs within the United States.
Interestingly, while Germanotta publicly backed Trump, his daughter Lady Gaga has been a staunch advocate for Democratic candidates, even campaigning for President Joe Biden in the 2020 election.
Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, has not yet appeared on the campaign trail for Harris, though other major celebrities like Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish have offered their support. The stark difference in political alignment between father and daughter underscores the complexities within personal and public life in today’s deeply polarized political landscape.
Germanotta’s endorsement of Trump is another example of how economic policies and immigration concerns resonate strongly with a significant portion of the electorate, even in households tied to Hollywood’s liberal elite. While his daughter stays largely quiet on the 2024 race, Joe Germanotta isn’t holding back his views. With the election looming, it will be interesting to see how such endorsements play out in the larger political narrative.
