Trump Supporter 'Diamond' Of Diamond And Silk Dies At 51

Hardaway and Richardson became famous during the 2016 presidential campaign after the sisters publicly announced they were dropping their affiliation with the Democratic Party to support Trump’s presidential campaign. The duo grew an immense following on social media as they started focusing their content on boisterous support for Trump and pushing far-right talking points. Their presence as Black women Trump supporters landed them campaign appearances as well as appearances on Fox News, eventually landing a show on the network’s online platform. The Diamond and Silk brand was also quickly monetized through tickets to speaking appearances, drinking glasses and other merchandise, and even downloads of their music single, “Trump’s Yo President.” The sisters continued to be outspoken supporters of the former president and conservative darlings, appearing on various far-right platforms.

Trump announced Hardaway’s death on his Truth Social account Monday, declaring that “our beautiful Diamond, of Diamond and Silk, has just passed away at her home” in North Carolina. Trump added that “Diamond’s death was totally unexpected,” speculating that “probably her big and precious HEART just plain gave out.”

President Trump on the passing of Diamond (Diamond and Silk). 😭🙏 pic.twitter.com/4mGNLm8Ob7

— Jenna Ellis 🍊🦅 (@JennaEllisEsq) January 10, 2023

Some sources, including journalist Marc Lamont Hill, report that Hardaway had been hospitalized after contracting COVID-19 around Thanksgiving.

Diamond —of the right-wing, Trump- loving duo Diamond and Silk— has died. In late November, she was hospitalized due to COVID-19. The duo was fired by Fox News a couple years ago for spreading misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines. You cannot script this stuff.

— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) January 10, 2023

Twitter reactions to Hardaway’s passing were widespread and very polarized. Conservatives generally lauded Hardaway while remaining vague or silent concerning the circumstances of her death. Conservative actor and comedian Terrence K. Williams posted, “We will miss you and most definitely will never forget you.”

 

This is truly heartbreaking 💔 This one hit hard. Diamond, of Diamond and Silk has passed away. I’m at a lost for
We will miss you and most definitely will never forget you. Love you forever.
Please keep her sister Silk in your prayers.

RIP Legend pic.twitter.com/jEndEyc8FK

— Terrence K. Williams (@w_terrence) January 10, 2023

Meanwhile, more liberal posters and much of Black Twitter were significantly more savage in their posts.

Several Twitter users reshared a 2020 profile of Diamond and Silk by comedian Rob Haze, documenting the sisters’ history and their eventual firing from Fox News for touting conspiracy theories surrounding COVID-19.

 

Meet sister Trump surrogates Diamond and Silk — here’s how their love for 45 earned them primetime guest spots on Fox News and how, eventually, their COVID-19 conspiracies had them ousted (🎙@robertistheMan) pic.twitter.com/yx3a6vMVPx

— NowThis (@nowthisnews) May 30, 2020

Others criticized Richardson for setting up a fund to raise money in the name of her just-deceased sister.

 

Diamond of Diamond and Silk sadly passed away. But don’t worry, they’ve already set a grift up on her casket.

If you ever see someone raising money off my death, know that I was not ok with that sh*t. 💯 pic.twitter.com/Mrfioj4G9z

— Ryan Pinesworth™️ (@RyanPinesworth) January 10, 2023

As details surrounding Hardaway’s death emerge and conspiracy theories surrounding COVID-19 continue to increase online, expect more heated discussion of Hardaway and her legacy in the coming days.