Iconic musician and actress Bette Midler raised eyebrows on social media Friday, openly calling for physical violence against Senator Rand Paul following his impassioned Senate speech to restrain government spending and slash the federal deficit.
Midler posted her incendiary tweet while Paul delivered his hours-long address to Congress, hoping to derail the bipartisan budget deal as it made its way towards the President’s desk.
“Where’s Rand Paul’s neighbor when we need him?” tweeted the music star, referring to Paul’s physical altercation with his neighbor earlier this year that broke six ribs and damaged his lungs.
Where’s Rand Paul’s neighbor when we need him?
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) February 9, 2018
The blowback on social media was immediate, with users pointing out Midler’s vicious attack on the GOP senator; saying “So much for love trumps hate…”
“I’ve loved Bette since I was a little kid- but this statement made me lose all respect for her,” wrote another user.