Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday paid tribute to actress Kirstie Alley in a post on his Truth Social platform, noting that she was a "big supporter" of his political career, which she had said caused her career to stall.
Alley passed away on Monday at age 71 after recently being diagnosed with cancer, according to an announcement from her family. The two-time Emmy Award winner starred in hit television shows Cheers and Veronica's Closet, and appeared in films like Look Who's Talking and Drop Dead Gorgeous.
Away from the screen, Alley became known for being outspoken about her conservative political views. Though she said she voted for Barack Obama for president twice, she later backed Trump in 2016 and 2020 and frequently espoused right-wing opinions on social media.
In his Tuesday morning post, Trump praised Alley as a person and acknowledged her political devotion.
"Kirstie was a fantastic person and a big supporter of America First & MAGA. She will be greatly missed!!!" Trump wrote.
Alley said during an interview last year on Fox Nation's Tucker Carlson Today that her political beliefs had led to a "real blackballing situation" for her in Hollywood.
"On Twitter, I had many celebrities follow me, and now I think three follow me," she said during the appearance. "I'm the same person. I'm the girl who voted for Obama, twice. And I'm like, 'Oh, so you liked me when I voted for Obama, and now you're this?' And it's made me have to rethink, weirdly, my whole friendships, all my friendships."
Following Alley's appearance on Carlson's show, Trump released an enthusiastic statement about her via his Save America PAC.
"Stick with Kirstie Alley! She is a great actress, loved by so many people, and a true original. She is also strong and smart. Many millions of people greatly appreciate her support of our Country. Thank you Kirstie, you are truly appreciated!" Trump said.
Alley responded to the statement in a tweet that thanked Trump for his "very kind acknowledgment."
After Alley's passing, she was memorialized in online tributes by many celebrities, including liberals like Josh Gad, who wrote on Twitter that Alley's "smile was always infectious, her laugh was always contagious and her charisma was always iconic."
Newsweek reached out to Trump for further comment.
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