‘Do bette[r]’: Bette Midler slammed for sharing Kari Lake parody as if it was real
Actress Bette Midler was blasted for sharing on social media a fake news and parody site about Republican Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake.
Midler, 76, tweeted a screenshot from the “About Me” section of a parody site that mocks Lake as one who “embrace[s] far-right nationalism and the forceful suppression of any opposition.”
“Heeere’s #KariLake, running for Gov of #Arizona, spewer of Q-anon conspiracies and all around nasty nut job!” Midler tweeted Wednesday. “Don’t let the cute package fool you! She’s lethal!”
Heeere’s #KariLake, running for Gov of #Arizona, spewer of Q-anon conspiracies and all around nasty nut job! Don’t let the cute package fool you! She’s lethal! pic.twitter.com/U5XvAhG7bd
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) November 2, 2022
The actress was quickly slammed for spreading misinformation. “This website is a parody account, it shows this at the bottom of the page,” one Twitter user wrote. “Do bette[r].”
This website is a parody account , it shows this at the bottom of the page . Do bette[r]
— Nicola MacLaren (@IrishCafes) November 2, 2022
As users pointed out that the screenshot came from a parody site, many blasted Midler for hurting any arguments made against Lake.
“As awful as she is, you’re sharing a fake webpage — and doing that only blunts efforts to argue against her,” a tweet said.
Another Twitter user wrote: “She’s a breath of fresh air in the halitosis of Washington politics. Your hatred of conservatives and moderates clouds your judgment. Again.”
She's a breath of fresh air in the halitosis of Washington politics. Your hatred of conservatives and moderates clouds your judgment. Again.
— Tom (@TomMarkovich1) November 2, 2022
While Lake has yet to publicly respond to Midler’s tweet, she shared a video Wednesday night of her response to an attack ad, saying attacks are nothing foreign to her.
“I’m used to attack ads,” Lake said. “I’ve had probably more money spent against me than any candidate in Arizona in attack ads, but the people know me here. They’re not believing what they’re seeing in the attack ads.”
A CBS reporter just asked me about the latest desperate attack ad accusing ME of causing the death of a Capitol Police Officer.
As a mother, here was my response: pic.twitter.com/dol7OEFQaw
— Kari Lake (@KariLake) November 2, 2022
As of Thursday morning, Midler’s post remained up. The actress has yet to comment on the social media criticism.