John Stamos is setting the record straight about his eyebrow-raising appearance at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate over the weekend.
Stamos was hit with backlash after images of him emceeing the Palm Beach Ray of Hope Gala, held Saturday at Mar-a-Lago, surfaced online. Many fans assumed the “Full House” actor, who supported former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, had switched his political affiliation.
“Uncle Jesse reportedly at Mar-a-lago last night…..this one truly broke my heart,” journalist E.J. Dickson wrote on X, formerly Twitter, alluding to Stamos’ “Full House” character.
In a statement posted late Monday to his Instagram Stories, however, Stamos assured his followers that wasn’t the case.
“I accepted the invitation to emcee the Palm Beach Ray of Hope Gala ― an evening dedicated to honoring and uplifting our frontline heroes,” Stamos wrote, clarifying that the event was “nonpartisan.”
According to its official website, the gala was also attended by Artem Chigvintsev and Karina Smirnoff of “Dancing with the Stars.” It featured a cocktail hour, dinner, dancing and live and silent auctions. Trump did not appear to have attended the event.
“This nonprofit organization trains between 350-400 nurses annually, helping to address the critical shortage of healthcare professionals in our community,” officials note on the site. “With every performance, every bid, and every donation, you’re helping create a lasting positive impact in the lives of Palm Beach residents.”
Michael Kovac via Getty Images
Stamos echoed those sentiments in his statement, noting: “Supporting nurses isn’t political ― it’s essential.”
“These are the people who care for us and our families when we need it most, and I believe we should show up for them with the same unwavering dedication they show up with every single day,” he wrote. “I stand by the importance of healthcare, of service, and of investing in those who care for our communities.”
The actor concluded his statement by stating that his “values and political views remain unchanged,” and included a link to the non-profit organization Democracy Forward.
“President Trump swore an oath to the Constitution,” the group’s donation page reads. “We need your help to hold him and his administration accountable…”
In August, Stamos took part in a “Comics for Kamala” Zoom event featuring appearances by Jason Bateman, Ben Stiller and Cecily Strong, among others. The following month, he also posted a throwback photo on Instagram that appeared to replicate Taylor Swift’s now-iconic “Childless Cat Lady” image that served as her endorsement of Harris.
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On Election Day, he expressed his hope for a president “who prioritizes unity and strives to bridge the divides that have deepened over the past years,” but did not mention either of the candidates by name.
He wrote on Instagram, “My hope is that this election leads to a renewed focus on bringing people together, fostering dialogue, and seeking justice and equality for all.”
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