Chappell Roan declines Biden’s White House Pride invitation over Israel-Palestine conflict

Pop sensation Chappell Roan revealed that she rejected an invitation to perform at the White House for a Pride event, urging the administration to strive for “liberty, justice and freedom for all.”

During her performance at the Governors Ball Music Festival on June 9, the queer singer-songwriter stated that she was reacting to the White House's invitation for her to perform at Pride.

“We want liberty, justice and freedom for all. When you do that, that’s when I’ll come.”

Roan, performing under her drag persona, has experienced a swift rise in the pop music scene, particularly after supporting pop star Olivia Rodrigo on her Guts World Tour from February to April, and the release of Roan's highly praised single, "Good Luck, Babe!" in April.

During her performance at the New York City festival, Roan, adorned in drag attire resembling the Statue of Liberty, earlier recited a passage from Emma Lazarus's renowned 1883 sonnet "The New Colossus," which is inscribed on the statue.

“I am in drag of the biggest queen of all,”  Roan announced to the audience while in drag.

“But in case you had forgotten what’s etched on my pretty little toes, ‘Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.'”

“That means freedom in trans rights,” she continued. “That means freedom in women’s rights. And it especially means freedom for all people and oppressed. It especially means freedom for all oppressed people in occupied territories,” eliciting cheers from the audience.

Following an Israeli operation resulting in the deaths of at least 274 Palestinians and the rescue of four hostages held by Hamas, President Biden commended the rescue, vowing that the U.S. will persist until all hostages are liberated and a cease-fire agreement is achieved.

In recent months, Democratic Party members, disheartened by Biden's management of the conflict, have intensified pressure on him to contribute to ending the war.