Bette Midler, who has earned a Twitter reputation as one of the celebrities most obsessed with President Trump, is being criticized for a comment she leveled against black people who support POTUS.

“Look, there are African American men in this shot! How much did he pay them to be ‘blackground’?,” the former “Hello, Dolly!” star tweeted on Wednesday.

Trump supporters of various backgrounds have since called Midler racist for the comment, saying she implied black people couldn’t think for themselves.

Look, there are African American men in this shot! How much did he pay them to be “blackground”? pic.twitter.com/pTkoHTIpQl — Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) July 24, 2019


The “Hocus Pocus” actress “suggests that any black people who do not agree with white Democrats — are paid. White Democrats hate that republicans are freeing black people again,” commentator and activist Candace Owens said on Twitter.

“I support the @POTUS for free,” comic Terrence K. Williams tweeted.

And recording artist and activist Joy Villa chimed in, tweeting: “Really, Bette? REALLY? @bettemidler You’re this crazy to insinuate black Americans have absolutely no mind or values of their own & would only support their country & @realdonaldtrump for ‘money’?”

Midler replied to only one tweet that was directed at her, defending herself to someone commenting on her use of profanity.


“As many as I feel like!,” she tweeted, talking about dropping F-bombs. “Personally, I enjoy swearing. Why don’t you try it, you uptight.....ha!”

Here are some of the tweets accusing the “Beaches” star of being racist.

Hey Bette Midler you sound racist! @realDonaldTrump did not pay any black people to support him!



We can think for ourselves. I never received a checked!



Has anyone received a Check?

I support the @POTUS for Free!



👉 #ISupportTrumpForFree pic.twitter.com/GkhmtXDrdI — Terrence K. Williams (@w_terrence) July 25, 2019

Really, Bette? REALLY? @bettemidler You’re this crazy to insinuate black Americans have absolutely no mind or values of their own & would only support their country & @realdonaldtrump for ‘money’? SMH you probably think they’re all pimps & black women like me are just hoes, too? pic.twitter.com/CUswGd1jEL — Joy Villa (@Joy_Villa) July 25, 2019


In which @BetteMidler suggests that any black people who do not agree with white Democrats— are paid.



White Democrats hate that republicans are freeing black people again. #MAGA https://t.co/PqfCFZBFVK — Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) July 24, 2019

White Democrat elites are the most racist people I have ever encountered. They think they own black people to be used as political to further their leftist agenda. Sorry Bette, you don’t own black people. It’s 2019 & slavery ended.. You are a shameless racist #RacistBette pic.twitter.com/WARt6BFBAF — Melissa A. (@TheRightMelissa) July 25, 2019

Her tweet is racist and problematic on multiple levels. And as a fan, I am very disappointed. — Darryl Roberts (@nycsky37) July 25, 2019


I said I’d wait, but you took too long.



Black men are NOT whores and Trump is NOT their pimp.



Whether you agree with their politics or not, they have the right to choose & the intelligence to do so! pic.twitter.com/xUAIFsDko8 — Shemeka Michelle (@ShemekaMichelle) July 24, 2019

Trump, meanwhile, was working on a Twitter obsession of his own: Since Wednesday, the president has been posting nonstop about Robert Mueller’s widely viewed testimony to lawmakers.

A Midler rep did not respond immediately to The Times’ request for comment.