GOP Candidates Respond to David Bowie's Death

Trump: He could have made a lot more money, A LOT more money if he hadn't been so weird. I don't get the gay thing but he did marry a supermodel, and I respect that.
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.

Millions of fans in America and around the world have been mourning the loss of David Bowie. His new album shot to the top of iTunes and "Heroes" was the most played song on Spotify. Fellow artists have called him a genius and a great collaborator. Friends and acquaintances described his warm, generous, and graceful personality. Articles about his support of African American artists like Luther Vandross and Nile Rodgers and video of his on-air critique of MTV for racism have gone viral. Fans have spoken of how his music celebrated difference and spoke to and encouraged all of those who feel different and alone. "You're not alone...You're wonderful," he sang.

Last night during the debate, the Republican candidates were asked for their response to his death:

Trump: He could have made a lot more money, A LOT more money if he hadn't been so weird. I don't get the gay thing but he did marry a supermodel, and I respect that.

Cruz: Can you believe that liberals and mainstream media are talking about this when terrorists are jumping over Obama's border who probably like that music? Remember this is an immigrant and I would't have allowed him and his degraded values into this country.

Rubio: He's kind of cool, I mean...he had some good songs, kind of old school. I'm a bigger fan of rap...uh... and country. I like songs about America. I like songs that inspire the true hope that everyone can make it in America!

Christie: This is the kind of ridiculous question that Americans don't give a rat's ass about. He made some good classic rock, a little weird and too gay for me. It's not my thing and I don't want some liberal school teachers reading his lyrics to my kids.

Bush: He's a pretty good artist, and his wife is hot. Yeah. Young Americans, that's a song I like. I used to like some of his songs. My condolences to his family.

Kasich: Listen, it is absurd his family would even have to listen to this. My condolences to them. Maybe he was strange. I don't really know, but he and his songs were beloved by many people and we should respect that. And I bet his family doesn't want to hear us talk about him any more than this audience.

Carson: ... I.... .don't.... know..... who.... that.... is...... My.... favorite.... David...... is..... the..... one.... who....
sleighed........ Goliath...... because..... he..... was...... chosen..... by....... God..... and..... that..... is.......
real.... I..... am..... chosen...... too.

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot