Check on your Selenator friends… we are really in the trenches these days. After receiving a ton of backlash for the controversial Emilia Pérez and her Spanish speaking in the movie, Selena Gomez is now dealing with a brand new wave of criticism and bullying. On January 27, she posted a video of herself crying about the completely unethical and inhumane deportations ordered by T*ump. The issue is personal to Selena, who has Mexican heritage; her paternal grandparents came to the United States from Mexico in the 1970s. Although she swiftly deleted the video, MAGA Republicans, including former senate candidate Sam Parker, were quick to attack her on social media. And I fear folks on the left are also coming for her.

Here’s what to know about Selena Gomez’s crying video and the backlash she’s gotten from Sam Parker and liberals.

Selena Gomez Crying Video: Backlash, Sam Parker Comments

Selena Gomez Posted And Deleted A Video Of Herself Crying About Deportations

In her Instagram Story, Selena shared a video of herself sobbing in response to the deportation efforts by the Trump administration that have resulted in over 1,000 arrests across the country. “All my people are being attacked, and children,” the actress and singer lamented through her tears. “I wish I could do something but I can’t.”

Selena added, “I don’t know what to do. I’ll try everything, I promise.” She captioned the video “I’m sorry” with a Mexican flag emoji. Just a few minutes after posting the video, Selena deleted it and responded to the instant criticism: “Apparently it’s not OK to show empathy for people.” She ended up deleting that Story too.

This issue has always been close to Selena’s heart — in 2019, she produced a documentary, Living Undocumented, and wrote an essay for Time about her relatives who crossed the border from Mexico to the United States. “Undocumented immigration is an issue I think about every day, and I never forget how blessed I am to have been born in this country thanks to my family and the grace of circumstance,” she wrote in the essay. “But when I read the news headlines or see debates about immigration rage on social media, I feel afraid for those in similar situations. I feel afraid for my country.”

What Republican Senate Candidate Sam Parker Said About Selena Gomez

Following Selena Gomez’s crying video, a very irrelevant, asshole Republican named Sam Parker called for her deportation in a racist tweet. Sam was a 2018 Republican candidate who sought election to the U.S. Senate from Utah and was unsuccessful.

“Deport Selena Gomez,” Sam tweeted. “Selena Gomez picked illegals over America b/c she’s the 3rd gen descendent of Mexican illegals who received citizenship in the ’87 Amnesty. She has an entitlement attitude toward America, like her illegal g’parents.”

Shortly after his disgusting tweet, Selena responded to Sam in another Instagram Story, writing: “Oh Mr Parker, Mr Parker. Thanks for the laugh and the threat.”

Unsurprisingly, Sam isn’t the only MAGA maniac attacking Selena after her video. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, a Texas Republican, tweeted, “@SelenaGomez’s crocodile tears aren’t for deportations — it’s a PR stunt to distract @TheAcademy from Hispanics HATING her movie.” I have no words for how ridiculous that is… 

Why Leftists/Liberals Are Angry At Selena Gomez

Unfortunately, some leftists and liberals are perhaps even angrier at Selena than these whack Republicans. People on the other side of the political spectrum are criticizing her for crying instead of taking action. (I’m confident it’s possible to cry and take action. Imagine that! Nuance is crazy.) “Somebody gotta beat Selena Gomez’s ass,” one TikToker, Khonissah, put it bluntly. “Bitch net worth is over a billi. Over a billion! And you’re boohoo crying on people’s phone screens about deportation and what can you do?” They suggested Selena sell her discography and pay for people’s citizenships.

Another pissed off TikToker complained, “For her to get on social media and start crying those white lady tears… if you don’t read the fucking room.” The creator, Kass, called Selena a “stupid bitch” for claiming to feel “powerless.” They argued that she should be contributing to legal funds and translation funds, donating to mutual aid programs, and reposting crowd funds.

While these are fair suggestions, Selena does take a lot of action! She’s dedicated half her career to fighting for causes that matter to her. And she specifically said in the crying video that she promises to “try everything” she can to help. When she started Rare Beauty, she also started the Rare Impact Fund, which is a “social impact initiative committed to making a difference in the world.” She’s always been an advocate for the immigrant community, speaking out on social media and via projects like her documentary and Time article.

Of course, there’s always more to be done… especially when you’re a billionaire. But can we stop bullying her for no good reason?! Save that energy for MAGA people, I beg you.