Cher apologises for tweet implying she could have saved George Floyd’s life
Singer said she was ‘truly sorry’ if she ‘upset anyone in the Black community’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Cher has apologised for a social media post in which she suggested she could have prevented the death of George Floyd.
Floyd died while being apprehended by police in Minneapolis last May. One of the arresting officers, Derek Chauvin, is currently on trial for second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, having placed a knee on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes.
Last Friday (2 April), Cher wrote on Twitter: “Was talking with Mom & She Said ‘I Watched Trial Of Policeman Who Killed George Floyd, & Cried.’
“I Said ‘Mom, I Know This Is Gonna Sound CRAZY, But.. I Kept Thinking …..Maybe If I’d Been There,…I Could’ve Helped.”
The tweet has since been deleted. Before its removal, the post caused controversy among some Twitter users, who argued that the tweet was insensitive, and played into a “white saviour complex”.
Read more:
In a series of posts shared over the weekend, the singer addressed her comments, writing: “Wrestled With This Twt, Because I Thought some ppl wouldn’t understand, Or Believe an Entertainer Could have Honest emotions about a human Being, suffering & Dying, even if It’s Only Shown On tv.
“You Don’t Know What I’ve Done,Who I Am,Or What I Believe. I CAN, I HAVE, & I WILL..HELP.”
In another tweet, she apologised for causing offence.
“I Just got off phone With Friend Karen,” she said. “Told her what Happened,& Realized, You Can Piss Ppl Off, & Hurt Them By Not Knowing Everything That’s ‘NOT Appropriate’ To Say.
“I know Ppl Apologize When They’re In a Jam, BUT TO GOD, IM TRULY SORRY If I Upset AnyOne In Blk Community. I Know My [heart].”
You can follow updates on Chauvin’s trial here.