Celebrities and Politicians React to Roe v. Wade Decision

Less than an hour after it was announced that the Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade, the former first lady issued a statement online to share her thoughts on the Court's decision. "I am heartbroken today. I am heartbroken for people around this country who just lost the fundamental right to make informed decisions about their own bodies," Obama's letter starts. "I am heartbroken that we may now be destined to learn the painful lessons of a time before Roe was made law of the land — a time when women risked losing their lives getting illegal abortions."

She ended her letter writing, "Our hearts may be broken today, but tomorrow, we've got to get up and find the courage to keep working towards creating the more just America we deserve. We have so much left to push for, to rally for, to speak for—and I know we can do it together."

On June 24, Obama responded to the Supreme Court's decision on Roe v. Wade via a Twitter thread that both addressed the attack on human rights and called for people to stand with activists who continue to fight for those rights. "Today, the Supreme Court not only reversed nearly 50 years of precedent, it relegated the most intensely personal decision someone can make to the whims of politicians and ideologues—attacking the essential freedoms of millions of Americans," he wrote in one tweet.

In another, Obama added: "If you're looking for ways to respond, @PPFA, @USOWomen, and many other groups have been sounding the alarm on this issue for years—and will continue to be on the front lines of this fight."

On June 26, the "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers" rapper and father of two closed out his headlining Glastonbury set with a powerful plea on behalf of women's rights. "Godspeed for women's rights, they judge you, they judge Christ," Lamar chanted repeatedly while wearing a crown of thorns on his head.

On June 26, Ireland Baldwin shared her experiences with abortion and sexual assault on TikTok, saying, "Before I share what I am going to share, I don't feel that it is anybody's responsibility to talk about this if they don't feel comfortable." She cited TikToks she had seen featuring women urging other woman to share their stories, and explained that she feels women should share their stories if, and only if, they're ready to do so. "I am only now sharing my story because I want other women to feel supported and loved, whether they want to share their own or not," she said.

She then opened up about her experiences with sexual assault. "I was raped when I was a teenager and I was completely unconscious when it happened and it changed the course of the rest of my life," she said. "Seeing so many other brave women share their stories got me thinking what my life would have been like if I had become pregnant and if I had to raise a baby during everything I was going through at the time. Mind you, I have medical resources, money and support that a lot of women do not have access to. It would have simply been traumatizing and impossible."

She also discussed her decision to have an abortion after getting pregnant while in an "unhappy relationship."

"Choosing to raise a baby without my own financial security, without a loving and supportive partner, that wasn't gonna work for me," she said. "I chose me, and I would choose me again. It's your life, it's your choice."

If you or someone you know would like to speak with someone who is trained to assist sexual assault survivors, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

"The court has failed us all — but we won't back down," Megan Thee Stallion wrote on Instagram on June 24. "I'm going to keep fighting because everyone deserves access to the care they need." She added a link to BansOff.org.

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On June 26, Megan spoke out again during her Glastonbury Festival set. "You guys know it wouldn't be me if I don't take a second to call out these stupid damn men, I mean Godd*mn, what else do you want?" she said, per Metro UK.

"Texas is really embarrassing me right now," she continued, talking about her home state. "That's my home state, and I want to have it on the record that the m*therf*cking hot boys and hot girls do not support this bullsh*t that you're campaigning for. My body, my m*therf*cking choice."

Abrams, democratic nominee for governor of Georgia, released a video via social media on June 24 to address her concerns around the Supreme Court's decision. "Today, the United States Supreme Court — the seat of justice charged with protecting our liberties — struck down reproductive rights," she starts in the 4-minute clip. "Rather than uphold the wisdom of nearly 50 years, women today lost the right to make our own health care decisions and the right to shape our own futures. As a woman, I am appalled. As a Georgian, I am enraged. As an America, I am disgusted by this abdication of all we hold dear."

On June 24, the actor and activist shared a few tweets in response to Roe v. Wade being overturned by the Supreme Court; In one, she wrote, "They will never end abortion. Only safe abortion. This is not about life. It's about control. Those motherfuckers." In another, she added: "America. Wake up. Stop saying 'it won't happen here.' It is happening."

On May 2, following her appearance at the Met Gala, the former secretary of state reacted to the news in a tweet and wrote, "Not surprising. But still outrageous. This decision is a direct assault on the dignity, rights, & lives of women, not to mention decades of settled law. It will kill and subjugate women even as a vast majority of Americans think abortion should be legal. What an utter disgrace."

A day later, she shared a graphic on Instagram that reads, "Women's rights are human rights and human rights are women's rights." "An extreme wing of the Supreme Court may seek to deny that fundamental truth," she added in a caption. "They may try to force their views on a country where 70% of people want Roe upheld.⁣ We will not be quiet and we will not go back."

On May 5, Clinton appeared on CBS Evening News and shared more thoughts on the leaked SCOTUS draft majority. "This opinion is dark, it is incredibly dangerous, and it is not just about a woman's right to choose. It is about much more than that," she said. "I hope people now are fully aware of what we're up against because the only answer is at the ballot box, to elect people who will stand up for every American's rights. And any American who says, 'Look, I'm not a woman, this doesn't affect me' . . . Once you allow this kind of extreme power to take hold, you have no idea who they will come for next."

On June 24, following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Clinton shared a statement on Instagram. "Most Americans believe the decision to have a child is one of the most sacred decisions there is, and that such decisions should remain between patients and their doctors," a graphic reads. "Today's Supreme Court opinion will live in infamy as a step backward for women's rights and human rights."

In the wake of the leaked draft opinion, the US senator of Massachusetts shared her thoughts on the news via Twitter on May 2. "An extremist Supreme Court is poised to overturn #RoeVWade and impose its far-right, unpopular views on the entire country," she tweeted on Monday. "It's time for the millions who support the Constitution and abortion rights to stand up and make their voices heard. We're not going back—not ever."

The following day, she tweeted, "If an extremist Supreme Court overturns Roe, wealthy women will still get safe abortions — by traveling to another state or country. But women of color, those with lower-incomes, and victims of abuse will suffer the most. Congress must eliminate the filibuster and protect Roe."

She also tweeted a video of herself protesting outside of the Supreme Court on Tuesday captioned, "I am angry because an extremist Supreme Court thinks they can impose their extremist views on all of the women of this country and they are wrong. I have seen the world where abortion is illegal. We're not going back—not now, not ever."

On June 24, Warren released a formal statement via Twitter sharing her thoughts on the overturned Roe v. Wade decision. "Six radical Supreme Court justices have overturned nearly 50 years of precedent, stripping away the constitutional right to an abortion . . . They have decided that the government — not the person who is pregnant — should make a private health decision and deny women the right to control their own bodies and futures . . . We are angry — angry and determined. We will not go back. Not now. Not ever."

The congresswoman voiced her outrage over the leaked Roe v. Wade opinion on Twitter: "People elected Democrats precisely so we could lead in perilous moments like these- to codify Roe, hold corruption accountable, & have a President who uses his legal authority to break through Congressional gridlock on items from student debt to climate. It's high time we do it."

In another tweet, she added: "If we don't, what message does that send? We can't sit around, finger point, & hand wring as people's futures + equality are on the line. It's time to be decisive, lead with confidence, fight for a prosperous future for all and protect the vulnerable. Leave it all on the field."

On June 24, Ocasio-Cortez tweeted about the final decision, writing, "Overturning Roe and outlawing abortions will never make them go away. It only makes them more dangerous, especially for the poor + marginalized. People will die because of this decision. And we will never stop until abortion rights are restored in the United States of America."

On May 2, the congresswoman reacted to the Roe v. Wade news in a tweet: "Overturning Roe would put the lives of women across the country at risk. It would fly in the face of decades of precedent and the overwhelming majority of public opinion. And they will not stop here. Expand the court."

On May 3, the actor posted a graphic featuring a quote from the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg via Instagram: "The decision whether or not to bear a child is central to a woman's life, to her well-being, and dignity. When the government controls that decision for her, she is being treated as less than a full adult human responsible for her own choices."

In her Instagram caption, Jamil wrote, "This of course applies to people of all genders who can become pregnant. But because for almost all of history we have looked at this as a woman's issue only, we have treated it with the same disregard, nay hatred as all women's issues. Because the patriarchy hates women, because they fear women . . . I'm so sorry. I'm so disgusted. We have time to turn this around. But we need to get motivated politically. Stop screaming at the wrong people. Start organizing to put the right people in place to protect us from the ACTUAL bad people threatening the freedom of HALF THE COUNTRY."

On May 3, the actor posted a flyer via Instagram for nationwide rallies being held at local courthouses across the country. In a caption, Philipps wrote, "Show up. Be loud. The person who risked everything to leak that document did so with the knowledge that IT IS NOT YET DONE. It's a sham of a court put in place to do this exact thing and why? Because they're afraid of what TRUE EQUALITY means for their own power."

She added: "This has been in motion for most of my life, this slow crank back in time but I will be damned if I allow it to happen without a fight. Overturning Roe and Casey is against the WILL OF THE PEOPLE. It has NOTHING to do with BABIES and EVERYTHING to do with white supremacy and power hungry politicians attempting to keep systems of oppression in place. (And I don't have time or energy to explain to you why if you don't understand- DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH) Be angry. Be loud. Be outraged. But most of all SHOW THE FUCK UP. #bansoffourbodies #greenwave #keepabortionlegal #abortionishealthcare #abortionrights."

On May 5, during her acceptance speech at Variety's Power of Women event, the "Dropout" star took a moment to touch on the Supreme Court's drafted decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. She noted that "women's safety and security, as we have just been reminded, is far too often negotiable. And it's not negotiable to me."

She added: "There's no better moment, not just to celebrate the power of us women, but to use it. In these very desperate times where theocrats are diligently working to eradicate our most basic right, we need to be the unstoppable force that creates and sustains community and who make the future better than the present."

"The Equalizer" star and Variety's Power of Women honoree addressed the SCOTUS's drafted opinion on May 5 during her acceptance speech. "There's a group of people who are trying to steal our power. Our power to decide what we want for our lives, our families, our future," she said at the event. "My whole life, people have been trying to diminish my power. They've always tried to diminish the power of the woman. It's like what I tell my friends who don't want to vote sometimes. If the vote wasn't worth something, they wouldn't be trying to keep us from voting. I feel the same way about womanhood. If we weren't so powerful, there wouldn't be such a push to keep us in our place."

Latifah also called for people to band together during this time of uncertainty. "I know what it looks like when women don't get along. When we fight against each other. But I also know what it looks like when we do," she added. "When we stand together, there's nothing more potent. There's nothing stronger. There's no level higher, nothing greater, than when we lock arms and decide we want to do something."

On June 24, Kerry Washington wrote on Instagram, "I am heartbroken and angry. But I am not going back down. Join me in fighting back: BansOff.org #BansOffOurBodies."

She included an infographic about donating to abortion funds, Planned Parenthood, and independent clinics. Another graphic she shared read, "We will not be defeated. We will not back down."

On June 24, JoJo shared an emotional message on Instagram, writing, "there are no words for the fear and disappointment I feel as an American today. we have regressed thanks to the Supreme Court. pretty f*cking gross that the people at the federal level want to regulate women's healthcare more than guns. why are super wealthy people (mostly white men) in their 70's and 80's making decisions for the majority of this country who thinks, feels, and lives completely differently than them? our systems are fatally flawed and need an overhaul."

She continued, "my heart is with everyone who is directly and indirectly effected by this utterly revolting decision. I pray this is not the first of a wave of rights to be stripped from us."

JoJo also tagged the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

"What ends today in more than 20 states is LEGAL abortion, women's and people with uteri's rights to bodily autonomy, and the fragile notion that everyone is free," Roxane Gay wrote on Twitter. "Clearly, few of us are. I do not know where we go from here but this is not the end of a fight. It's the beginning."

On June 24, Julia Louis-Dreyfus wrote on Twitter, "It's official. The fight for reproductive freedom is now in the hands of state legislatures. I'm matching $10K in donations to these 11 candidates in key states where abortion is on the line. Please donate here to get matched & let me know when you do." She shared an ActBlue link to donate to pro-choice candidates.

"Not too long ago, this would have been dystopian sci-fi. But the legacy of the 2016 election and the indelible mark of the GOP is printed here in black and white," Seth MacFarlane wrote on Twitter on June 24. "How much farther this will go once again depends on American voters. Blame extremism or apathy, but this is America."

On June 24, Lizzo pledged $500k of proceeds from her upcoming tour to groups that are working to preserve reproductive rights. "I'm pledging $500k from my upcoming tour to Planned Parenthood and Abortion Rights. Live Nation agreed to match— to make it 1 MILLION dollars," she wrote on Instagram. "The most important thing is action & loud voices. @plannedparenthood @abortionfunds & organizations like them— will need funding to continue offering services to people who are most harmed by this ban Black women & women of color have historically had disproportionately less access to family planning resources— this is a great loss but not a new one."

The "About Damn Time" singer went on to include a link to her website lizzolovesyou.com, where people can donate, sign the Bans Off My Body petition, and learn how to volunteer.

In a lengthy Instagram post, Lilly Singh shared her disappointment with the Supreme Court's June 24 decision. "Days like today are very spiritually tough for me. Because I try to live in light and love and believe in compassion, patience and togetherness," her post began. "I believe we CAN be one and we can see eye to eye. But then I'll wake up and realize people in power are trying to make women live like Handmaids. And this sets off such inner conflict because where there was once love and patience, is anger and straight up embarrassment that I live in the same country and on the same planet as these people."

Singh continued, "How someone can believe they should make a decision about someone else's body, or who they love is a level of delusion and entitlement I simply cannot comprehend. As always, we will continue to fight. But today, I offer my love and apologies to all of my sisters out there. You deserve better. This world is cruel, but we will take that anger and turn it into movement. Now more than ever, we must lift women up."

The former talk-show host ended her post by referencing the photo of herself she posted. "Because the Supreme Court cares about one of the things in this picture… and it isn't the woman," she concluded.

In an Instagram Story captured and reshared by fans on Twitter, Sophie Turner spoke out against Roe v. Wade being overturned on June 24. "Overturning Roe v. Wade is setting us back 50 years," the "Game of Thrones" actor said. "This isn't going to save any lives. This is going to kill and endanger millions of women who end up getting backstreet abortions — dangerous backstreet abortions — and end up dying from it."

"If this is actually about saving lives, if anyone cared about saving lives, then after any of the mass shootings that have happened here in the United States, we would have gun control," she continued. "It's not about saving lives, it's about controlling a woman's body and controlling a woman's right to choose. And it's absolutely f*cking disgusting."

"I'm devastated as I a conversation with my partner about the future of our relationship and what it could mean for our safety. We just watched how quickly things can change. This is so f*cking scary man," Bailey tweeted on June 24.

In a second tweet, she added, "I will go in my pockets and pay your gas/ flight/ whatever you need to go to a different state to get an abortion. This is f*cking wild what's happening in America right now."

In a series of tweets shared after the ruling, Yvette Nicole Brown urged people to remember there is power in voting. "I hope the 53% of white women who just couldn't stomach voting for @HillaryClinton are happy that they've just ensured that their daughters grow up in #Gilead. A woman's right to choose is a HEALTH decision. A PERSONAL health decision. I'm a Christian and know that," she began.

"Further, I hope people finally get that VOTING MATTERS!" Brown tweeted. "A corrupt, racist, money AND power hungry imp got to put THREE Supreme Court justices on the bench. Those three said they would protect precedent KNOWING their goal was to overturn every right they deemed inappropriate."

She concluded, "This all happened because not enough people care enough to vote. And not enough people who DO vote choose leaders that care about everyone — not just the people who think, love and look like them. This is bad. This is VERY bad."

On Instagram, Padma Lakshmi shared a screenshot of her own tweet which reads, "People will still get abortions. These procedures won't stop just because Roe v. Wade is overturned. This will only prevent safe, legal abortions from taking place."

"Today is devastating and gut wrenching and I know it can be hard to stay motivated, but we need to keep fighting and fight like hell," she added in the caption of her post. "State and local elections are even more vital now more than ever before. Attend a protest or rally, write a letter or call your representatives and elected officials, join a virtual event or volunteer from home. The time is now to act and speak up."

She went on to include links to sources on reproductive freedom.