Bette Midler is apologizing for insulting West Virginians.
In a Tweet to criticize Senator Joe Manchin, West Virginia’s Democratic Senator blocking President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better Act, Bette Midler took to social media to voice her opinion on the Senator. As she did so, she also commented negatively about the people of West Virginia.
Videos by American Songwriter
“What #JoeManchin, who represents a population smaller than Brookly, has done to the rest of America, who wants to move forward, not backward, like his state, is horrible, Midler wrote. “He sold us out. He wants us all to be just like his state, West Virginia. Poor, illiterate and strung out.”
That post didn’t about West Virginians being “Poor, illiterate and strung out” didn’t sit well with the Twitterverse and residents of West Virginia. Many came out in defense of the citizens of West Virginia.
“I’m from WV. I’m not illiterate, poor or strung out! I’m very upset with Manchin, wrote Twitter follower Bonnie Shannon. “Over 68% of WV support the BBB!”
“Majority of my family is from WV and each and everyone of them has a higher level of education than you,” Donna RW wrote in response to Midler’s Tweet.
The backlash Midler received caused her to share another Tweet apologizing to the good folks of West Virginia while continuing to take Joe Manchin to task.
“I apologize to the good people of WVA for my last outburst,” Midler wrote. “I’m just seeing red: #JoeManchin and his whole family are a criminal enterprise. Is he really the best WV has to offer its own citizens? Surely there’s someone there who has the state’s interests at heart, not his own!”
I apologize to the good people of WVA for my last outburst. I’m just seeing red; #JoeManchin and his whole family are a criminal enterprise. Is he really the best WV has to offer its own citizens? Surely there’s someone there who has the state’s interests at heart, not his own!
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) December 20, 2021
Sen. Manchin appeared on Fox News Sunday revealing that he will oppose President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better plan, which would in essence end the bill.
Photo by Mark Sagliocco/WireImage
More Latest Music News & Stories
-
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 27: Alexandra Kay performs on stage during BST Hyde Park at Hyde Park on June 27, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jo Hale/Redferns) -
Photo by John Anderson/The Austin Chronicle/Getty Images -
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 28: Jennifer Nettles performs during the PAC NYC ICONS OF CULTURE Gala at Perelman Performing Arts Center on October 28, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC)) -
NASHVILLE, TN – AUGUST 23: Honorees Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton attend the 11th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman Auditorium on August 23, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for ACM) -
NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL — Season: 2013 — Pictured: Carrie Underwood performs — (Photo by: Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images) -
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JULY 10: Lainey Wilson performs during the Windy City Smokeout on July 10, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen/Getty Images) -
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 11: Firefighters salute in front of a memorial at FDNY Ten House during a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2026 in New York City. The United States is marking the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, when a group of al-Qaeda hijackers flew airplanes into the World Trade Center, Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon, killing nearly 3,000 people. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) -
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 30: Graham Nash performs onstage during the FIREAID Benefit Concert for California Fire Relief at The Kia Forum on January 30, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images for FIREAID)