Rod Stewart fans went on the defensive Wednesday after a Republican strategist compared the 75-year-old music icon to U.S. president Donald Trump.
Terry Sullivan is quoted in a New York Times article as saying Trump is “the Rod Stewart of politicians — he may keep coming up with new material but deep down he knows his fans just want to hear ‘Wake Up Maggie,’ so he keeps playing the same tune because he can’t stand the thought of them not loving his performance.”
(Stewart’s 1971 hit is, in fact, called “Maggie May.”)
On Twitter – where faux-outrage always supersedes informed opinions – many are attributing the analogy to journalist Maggie Haberman, who tweeted the quote along with a link to the article she penned with Jonathan Martin.
“Only someone who knows zero about @RodStewart would tweet something so wrong!,” fumed Culture Club singer Boy George. “It’s ‘Wake Up Maggie Haberman’ and he has whole shows full of gems.”
Pittsburgh music journalist Scott Mervis tweeted: ‘Wake up, Maggie. I don’t think #RodStewart is the guy you’re looking for here. He’s a legend with a ton of hits and a mile-long discography.”
Actor John Ales tweeted “You leave Rod Stewart alone, you b**ch" and a Twitter user named Alexander Quinn raged: “Imagine waking up as Rod Stewart, minding your buisness (sic), not harming or doing nothing to nobody to see you trending on twitter cause a b**ch tried to drag your good name as an insult for no reason.”
Others are defending Stewart’s honour rather than attacking the messenger.
“Rod Stewart wasn’t a one hit wonder. Not even close. WTF?,” tweeted @RageMichelle – even though the article does not refer to Stewart as a one-hit wonder.
“Nah. Uh-uh. NO. Y’all will not compare Trump to the exemplary Sir Rod Stewart. ‘Maggie May’ isn’t even his best song but don’t y’all even DARE compare him to that buffoon,” tweeted @ExorcisingErica.
Music writer Philip Clark pointed out one big difference between Stewart and Trump. “Rod Stewart can still fill an arena,” he tweeted. And left-wing political blogger Bill Palmer noted: “Rod Stewart never committed treason.”
Of course, many fans were simply grateful Stewart wasn’t trending for other reasons.
“Slight sick feeling in my tummy seeing Rod Stewart is trending,” tweeted @LucyAmbache. “All is well. Wipes brow.”