In a raw and reflective essay, electronic music producer The Blessed Madonna (real name Marea Stamper) has shared her candid reaction to Donald Trump's recent re-election on her newly launched Substack. The essay, published on Tuesday, November 12, captures the artist’s emotional turmoil following Trump’s unexpected win, expressing a blend of contempt, disappointment, and resilience.
The Kentucky-born, London-based DJ opens by confessing her struggle to reconcile with what she sees as a bleak reality. “I’m yoked to the brink of collapse with contempt for millions of my fellow Americans, myself included possibly," she writes, revealing her inner conflict with a country that once represented freedom and progress, yet now appears to her as a reflection of growing divisions and setbacks.
The Reaction to Project 2025
In her essay, Stamper specifically references Project 2025, an initiative by Trump’s administration that critics argue aims to dismantle decades of social progress. Stamper underscores her fear that this project signals a regression to an era where power was concentrated in the hands of a select demographic. “I believed them, just as I believed Trump in 2016. I believe they intend to do what they have promised,” she states, acknowledging her disillusionment but also her belief in the gravity of these political promises.
Stamper’s concerns reflect those of many Americans who fear that fundamental rights may be at risk. In particular, she mourns the vulnerability of women’s rights, stating: “Women have cast their vote for men who would let them bleed to death in a hospital parking lot from a miscarriage, should they need an abortion?” This pointed observation highlights her distress over the potential rollback of reproductive rights and the larger implications for women’s health and autonomy.
A Pendulum of Optimism and Anger
Stamper delves into her feelings of anger, noting that this election’s outcome has swung her emotional pendulum toward shame and frustration. Reflecting on past experiences, she recalls a moment when she saw men in MAGA hats on a flight and felt an overwhelming sense of discomfort. The backlash she received for expressing her discomfort served as a painful reminder of the ideological divides that have widened since Trump's first term.
She continues, “It’s all a knot of repeating scenarios... It all just swings back and forth, ticking like a metronome which does not tell time, but keeps it in a holding pattern.” This metaphor suggests a feeling of entrapment within a seemingly endless cycle of social and political regression.
The Rage that Fuels Love and Resistance
Stamper’s piece culminates with a powerful expression of rage, which she describes as a form of love: “It is not a gentle or comforting kind of love, but the love that lives behind bared teeth and says: motherf—ker, one of us is about to die trying.” For her, rage is not an end in itself but a vehicle for resilience—a way to channel her profound discontent into something constructive, even if confrontational.
Her concluding words, "This is who we are. This is America. Don’t say it’s not," serve as a stark reminder that, in her view, Americans must confront the country’s reality head-on. It’s a call to acknowledge the ongoing struggles, the disappointments, and the contradictions that have come to define this era.
A Unique Voice Among Electronic Artists
The Blessed Madonna’s essay stands out in the world of electronic music, a genre often removed from overt political discourse. Alongside Massive Attack and Moby, she is one of the few artists willing to use her platform to voice such intense political convictions. Her debut album Godspeed, released just last month, is now imbued with a new layer of significance, serving as a musical prelude to the complex, reflective musings shared in this essay.
As Trump’s 2024 win reverberates across the cultural landscape, The Blessed Madonna’s words will resonate with fans who share her sentiments, offering a mirror for collective frustration and, perhaps, a rallying cry for resilience.
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