Several prominent conservative leaders – including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) are freaking out at Kim Petras’s and Sam Smith’s performance at the Grammys, which they call “full-on Satan worship right on prime time TV.”
Rightwing podcaster Liz Wheeler shared a clip from the Grammy-winning duo’s performance of their hit “Unholy” and said it’s proof that “demons are teaching your kids to worship Satan. I could throw up.”
Cruz shared Wheeler’s tweet and wrote, “This…is…evil.”
This…is…evil. https://t.co/SBrOgHfFcX
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) February 6, 2023
Cruz was far from the only person worried that kids would turn to Satan after watching Smith and Petras dance in front of some fire, with Smith wearing a hat with horns on it. Far-right Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk sarcastically said the performance is “definitely not a spiritual war” and later called it “The Devil, brought to you by Pfizer.”
Definitely not a spiritual war. pic.twitter.com/5fnpiZ0SSj
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) February 6, 2023
The Devil. Brought to you by Pfizer…pic.twitter.com/RS6ZYrsbAF
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) February 6, 2023
Former White House strategist from the Donald Trump administration, Steve Bannon, called the performance “demonic” on social media.
Sam Smith’s Grammy performance taking the place of the Chinese balloon for “America is falling apart” right-wing fear porn. pic.twitter.com/tNinXiz59q
— Ron Filipkowski 🇺🇦 (@RonFilipkowski) February 6, 2023
Others denounced the Petras/Smith performance.
The fact that the Grammys actually deemed this fit as a performance shows you what they represent. In the bid to be perceived as accepting, everything goes, even Satan. The Bible clearly speaks about the Prince of this world, Satan. The Bible points out satanism. It’s not fiction
— Solomon Buchi (@Solomon_Buchi) February 6, 2023
The Grammys have gone full-on Satan worship right on prime time TV.
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) February 6, 2023
Don’t believe me?
Watch. pic.twitter.com/Cqc8AynbKT
I know we on the right probably use the word satanic too often but this peformance from Sam Smith is literally a tribute to Satan. pic.twitter.com/1GrNgjssZN
— Ben Kew 🐶 (@ben_kew) February 6, 2023
Grammys openly celebrating satan (Sam Smith singing “unholy,” brought to you by Pfizer all while Jill Biden is handing out song of the year. It’s a satanic cult. If this doesn’t show people I don’t know what will. It’s blatantly disgusting! Stop giving the #GRAMMYs the ratings pic.twitter.com/MfuxVzSdSU
— Krisandra (@k_praytor) February 6, 2023
degenerate filth, psychopaths take over 'GRAMMYS' and you wonder why Johnny cannot read or add? https://t.co/WqsjfjTCRE
— Michael Savage (@ASavageNation) February 6, 2023
“If you’re upset with Sam Smith for simply wearing a red shirt then you’re the problem”
— Jared Monroe (@TheJaredMonroe) February 6, 2023
-woke satan apologists probably pic.twitter.com/dY2rPnuFq4
In 2021, out hip hop artist Lil Nas X received similar criticism from the right after the release of his video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” which used Satanic imagery.
“i spent my entire teenage years hating myself because of the s**t y’all preached would happen to me because i was gay,” Nas wrote on Twitter, addressing the criticism. “so i hope u are mad, stay mad, feel the same anger you teach us to have towards ourselves.”
i spent my entire teenage years hating myself because of the shit y’all preached would happen to me because i was gay. so i hope u are mad, stay mad, feel the same anger you teach us to have towards ourselves.
— i am reading all that (@LilNasX) March 27, 2021