Rod Stewart said he’s no longer friends with Donald Trump

Rod Stewart Breaks Ties with Trump

Rod Stewart shocked fans when he revealed he no longer considers Donald Trump a friend, despite being longtime neighbors in Florida. The 80-year-old music legend opened up during a June 2025 interview with Radio Times, saying Trump had “changed” since becoming president.

Rod shared, “I’m not a great fan of Trump. I knew him very, very well. I used to go to his house.” Their homes in Palm Beach were less than a mile apart, and they often attended each other’s holiday events. But things took a turn after Trump entered politics.

From Beach Buddies to Political Clash

Rod described their past friendship as close and casual. “We’re both on the beach. I used to go to his Christmas parties,” he said. Their relationship once included shared laughs and festive nights at Mar-a-Lago with Trump’s inner circle.

But over time, Stewart noticed major shifts. He explained, “He’s always been a bit of a man’s man. I liked him for that. But he didn’t, as far as I’m concerned, treat women very well.” That observation planted early doubts in Rod’s mind about Trump’s behavior.

A Turning Point in Their Relationship

What finally ended the friendship? Stewart pointed to Trump’s controversial decisions as president. One issue stood out: the U.S. selling weapons to Israel during an ongoing war, something Rod strongly opposes.

Stewart said, “As long as he’s selling arms to the Israelis and he still is. How’s that war ever gonna stop?” His disappointment became personal, and he decided he could no longer remain silent or stay friends with someone making those choices.

Trump’s Second Term Crossed the Line

Tensions deepened in 2025, during Trump’s second term. His administration approved a nearly $3 billion arms deal with Israel, fueling conflict in Gaza. For Stewart, that was the final straw.

In interviews, he repeated his disapproval, calling Trump “another guy” since becoming president. Rod’s moral concerns about foreign policy outweighed any personal history they shared, and he made it clear that the friendship could not continue under those conditions.

Stewart Gets Political on Stage

Rod didn’t just speak out in interviews, he brought his feelings to the stage. During his Las Vegas residency, he projected a meme mocking Trump’s skin tone, comparing it to an “orange person.”

Fans had mixed reactions. Some cheered and laughed, while others felt politics didn’t belong at concerts. Conservative outlets reported walkouts, but sources confirmed only a few seats were vacated. Still, the moment proved Rod wasn’t holding back

Audience Reactions Spark Debate

After that viral moment in Vegas, fans lit up social media. Trump supporters criticized Stewart, telling him to “stick to music” and leave politics alone. But others called his comments brave and praised his honesty.

The divide was clear. His longtime fans in the U.K. largely supported him, while American audiences were more mixed. The meme stunt stayed online for days, sparking debates over freedom of speech and fan loyalty.

Did It Affect Ticket Sales?

Despite the controversy, there’s no confirmed link between Stewart’s political remarks and a drop in ticket sales. In June 2025, he canceled several U.S. shows, but it was due to illness not backlash.

Stewart still draws big crowds, especially at international events like Glastonbury. His team confirmed the cancellations were health-related, not related to political heat. U.K. fans remained loyal, and promoters didn’t report any decline in demand.

The Role of Penny Lancaster

Rod Stewart’s wife, Penny Lancaster, played a huge role in his break from Trump. In February 2025, she spoke on Loose Women, recalling how she warned Rod to steer clear of Trump’s events.

She said, “This man sounds like he is going to disrupt the world in an unfortunate way.” Penny told Rod, “Darling, we are not going anywhere near him again.” Stewart later agreed and said Penny saw Trump’s character change before he fully realized it.

From Party Guest to Vocal Critic

Rod and Penny once attended Mar-a-Lago parties together. Trump even praised Stewart’s album publicly in 2015. Back then, their friendship looked solid. But once Trump’s campaign rhetoric took shape, things changed quickly.

Penny became firm in her stance. She found Trump’s comments about Mexicans and Muslims especially offensive. As Rod’s political awareness grew, he started echoing her views, saying Trump was “a disgrace” and no longer someone he could associate with.

Stewart’s Political Voice Grew Bold

Rod’s politics didn’t appear overnight. Back in 2016, he already had doubts, calling Trump a “sort-of friend” and saying he didn’t seem “presidential.” Still, he stayed somewhat neutral at the time.

By 2020, things had shifted. Stewart criticized Trump for withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord. On the How to Wow podcast, he called him “that p in the White House” and stressed the urgency of climate change. His activism was becoming impossible to ignore.

Speaking Out on Gaza Crisis

In 2025, Stewart raised his voice even louder, condemning both U.S. and U.K. arms deals with Israel. He pointed to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as a result of ongoing military support.

Rod didn’t soften his words. He said Trump’s continued role in arms deals made him morally complicit. That stance caused a ripple in the music world, with some fans divided but others applauding his courage to speak up on such a sensitive issue.

The Parasocial Fan Conflict

Fans today often struggle when a celebrity’s politics don’t match their own. Stewart’s split from Trump caused some of his followers to feel betrayed, while others felt more connected to him than ever.

This tension is part of a bigger trend in celebrity culture. Researchers say it creates emotional stress for fans some “break up” with stars they once loved, while others ignore the politics to keep the music alive. Stewart landed right in the middle of that storm.

Celebrity Friendships Turn Sour

Rod’s break from Trump mirrors other public splits. Taylor Swift distanced herself from Kanye West. Ellen DeGeneres faced backlash over her friendship with George W. Bush. Fans today expect alignment with their values.

Some celebrities, like Lady Gaga, lean into activism. Others, like Dolly Parton, stay silent to avoid backlash. Stewart’s choice to speak up places him with the former group those who’d rather risk losing fans than stay quiet about injustice.

Glastonbury Slot Still Solid

Despite all the noise, Stewart remains in demand. His Legends Slot at Glastonbury 2025 was confirmed with full support from organizers. Emily Eavis said his booking was “everything we could wish for.”

No artists publicly objected to his inclusion. While a few fans online expressed disappointment, most were excited. Stewart’s political stance didn’t impact his status at the festival. In fact, his willingness to speak out may have made him more respected in some circles.

Comparing Stewart with Peers

Among music legends, Stewart’s activism stands out. Neil Young also made headlines for pulling music off Spotify and boycotting corporations. He even reconsidered performing at Glastonbury, but later joined.

While some veteran artists avoid controversy, Stewart and Young prove that age doesn’t mean silence. They both take public stances on global issues, showing that music icons can still influence politics, fan culture, and the media conversation in 2025.

Remember when Carrie hit the stage at that event? Revisit Carrie Underwood performs at Trump’s inauguration.

Fans Now Expect Political Honesty

Rod Stewart’s break from Trump is more than a celebrity spat. It reflects a cultural shift. In 2025, fans want transparency from public figures, and silence is often seen as taking a side.

Rod’s decision to criticize Trump publicly fits this new world. He spoke with clarity, backed by years of evolving beliefs, his wife’s warnings, and real concern about global issues. Fans may disagree on his stance, but no one can say he stayed quiet when it mattered.

Springsteen didn’t hold back, see what he said in Bruce Springsteen endorses Harris, critiques Trump.

What do you think about Rod cutting ties with Trump after years of friendship? Drop your comments and join the conversation!

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.