Ariana Grande Said “Islam is Love” at Clinton Campaign Rally-Unproven!
Summary of eRumor:
Singer Ariana Grande said “Islam is love” during a campaign rally for Hillary Clinton in 2016, a remark that resurfaced after ISIS claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that targeted a Grande concert in Manchester, England, in May 2017.
The Truth:
We couldn’t find any record of Ariana Grande appearing at a Hillary Clinton rally during the 2016 presidential election, or of Grande saying, “Islam is love.”
Those rumors surfaced following a terrorist attack that targeted an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester that killed 22 concert goers and injured at least 50 more in May 2017. Following the attack, which ISIS claimed responsibility for, the rumor that Grande said “Islam is love” at Clinton campaign stop in 2016 circulated on social media.
Although Ariana Grande pledged support for Hillary Clinton during the campaign, and she mourned President Trump’s election victory in 2016, we couldn’t find any reports that confirm Grande actually stumped with Clinton. Other young stars like Katy Perry and Lena Denham appeared with Clinton multiple times, but Grande was absent from lists of stars that appeared with Clinton.
Ariana Grande became something of a political liability after she was caught on camera in 2015 saying that she “hated Americans” and “hated America” (click here for our investigation), although she later apologized. Leaked Democratic National Committee (DNC) emails revealed that Grande wanted to perform at a DNC White House gala but was rejected because of controversy over her previous comments, Gawker reports:
On September 10, 2015, DNC Finance Chair Zachary Allen sent an email asking that Grande, hot off the heels of her donut scandal, be vetted for a potential gala performance for the president.
“Can we also vet Arianna Grande?” Allen wrote, butchering her name, much as Grande often butchers her own lyrics.
And vet her they did. “Ariana Butera,” Deputy Compliance Director Kevin wrote in an incredibly detailed response. “Video caught her licking other peoples’ donuts while saying she hates America; Republican Congressman used this video and said it was a double standard that liberals were not upset with her like they are with Trump who criticized Mexicans; cursed out a person on Twitter after that person used an offensive word towards her brother,”
White House employee Bobby Schmuck—real name—ultimately vetoed her in two words: “Nope, sorry.”
If Ariana Grande wasn’t allowed to perform at a White House gala, it seems safe to assume that the Clinton campaign wouldn’t schedule any public appearances with Grande, either.
And we couldn’t find any record of Ariana Grande saying “Islam is love.” Of course, that doesn’t mean that she didn’t say it, or that doesn’t believe it, but there doesn’t appear to be a record of it. Grande did send wishes to her Muslim followers during Eid al-Adha, or the “Sacrifice Feast.” She posted on Instagrame, “Eid Mubarak to all my Muslim followers 🙂 ♡” in 2015.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHhv-YDjEHw/
Given that there’s no record of Ariana Grande campaigning with Hillary Clinton, or Grande saying “Islam is love,” we’re calling this rumor “unproven.”