P!nk shared kind words for outgoing New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern on Thursday.
“There will never be another like you. I wish there were,” the pop star tweeted in response to the announcement that Ardern is stepping down. “You have my admiration, my respect, my well wishes for you+your beautiful family.
“I have watched you shine uniquely+bravely from afar. Thank you 4showing the rest of the world what’s possible.”
Prime Minister @jacindaardern there will never be another like you.I wish there were. You have my admiration, my respect, my well wishes for you+your beautiful family. I have watched you shine uniquely+bravely from afar.Thank you 4showing the rest of the world what’s possible.
— P!nk (@Pink) January 19, 2023
P!nk reportedly męt Ardern in 2019 at her concert in Auckland.
Not surprisingly, P!nk’s praise brought out trolls who slam Ardern as an authoritarian due to her government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“You are even more of a disappointment than I thought,” one person sniffed in the replies. Another tweeted: “You're a disgusting human you know that?”
UK pop act Right Said Fred tweeted: “Obviously the world’s a better place without @jacindaardern in government. She’s citing ‘she’s burnt out’, my guess is her handlers are done with her, she’s served her purpose.”
P!nk jumped back on Twitter to address the vitriol. "There are so many desperate, ignorant people in my feed – when I’m finished having a fantastic productive day it’s such good reading. Pure entertainment. They’re waiting and hoping for my RT! Think I’ll finish reading my book instead now."
The hatred on social media bolstered a point actor Sam Neill made in a tweet about Ardern’s decision to step down. “I am not surprised nor do I blame her. Her treatment, the pile on, in the last few months has been disgraceful and embarrassing. All the bullies, the misogynists, the aggrieved. She deserved so much better. A great leader.”