Trump Announces Death of Entertainer Lynnette ‘Diamond’ Hardaway at 51

Diamond (L) and Silk at the Save the Storks 2nd Annual Stork Charity Ball at the Trump International Hotel in Washington on Jan. 17, 2019. Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Save the Storks

Former President Donald Trump has announced the death of social media personality and entertainer Lynette Hardaway, better known as “Diamond” from the “Diamond and Silk” sister duo.

Trump made the announcement in a statement on Truth Social on Jan. 9 where he said that Hardaway, 51, had died at her home in North Carolina and was accompanied by her sister “Silk,” also known as Herneitha Rochelle Richardson.

The former president called Hardaway’s death “really bad news for Republicans and frankly, all Americans.”

“Our beautiful Diamond, of Diamond and Silk, has just passed away at her home in the State she loved so much, North Carolina,” Trump wrote. “Silk was with her all the way, and at her passing. There was no better team anywhere, or at any time! Diamond’s death was totally unexpected, probably her big and precious heart just plain gave out. Rest In Peace our magnificent Diamond, you will be greatly missed!”

Diamond and Silk’s official Twitter account also confirmed Hardaway’s death on Monday, writing that the world “just lost a True Angel and Warrior Patriot for Freedom, Love, and Humanity!”

President Donald Trump greets sisters Lynnette Hardaway and Rochelle Richardson, also known as Diamond and Silk, during a “Presidential Social Media Summit” in the East Room of the White House in Washington on July 11, 2019. Alex Wong/Getty Images

‘Please Pray for Diamond’

The account states that donations can be made to a memorial fundraiser page at a crowdfunding website.

No further details regarding the cause of Hardaway’s death were provided, however in November Richardson had asked her Twitter followers to pray for her sister.

“Anyone who believes in the power of prayer please pray for Diamond,” Richardson wrote at the time, without providing further details.

MyPillow founder Mike Lindell, who hosted a video series for the sisters, told The Daily Beast that Hardaway had been sick prior to her death on Monday.

Hardaway and Richardson shot to fame in 2016 thanks to their social media videos sharing their support for Trump’s White House bid. The sisters, previously longtime Democrats, had remained loyal to Trump since and were present at Mar-a-Lago when he announced his 2024 bid.

NBC News reported that the duo went on to land their own contributor jobs on Fox News’ Fox Nation but were later pulled from the network in 2020 after questioning the number of COVID-19 deaths on air.

They later went on to get their own show, “Diamond and Silk Crystal Clear” on Newsmax TV, which aired on Saturday nights. The final episode was filmed on Dec. 15.

Lynette "Diamond" Hardaway and Rochelle "Silk" Richardson in their YouTube show. Screenshot via The Epoch Times

Republicans Pay Tribute to Diamond

According to Diamond and Silk’s official Facebook page, the sisters most recently hosted a show on Lindell’s social media platform FrankSpeech, where they spoke about the “January 6th Political Prisoner, Troy Smocks.”

A number of other Republican leaders took to social media on Monday to share their condolences following news of Hardaway’s passing, including Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) who wrote on Twitter that her death was “sad news.”

“We mourn the loss of Diamond from Diamond and Silk who passed away in her home in North Carolina. Join us in praying for her family,” Hudson wrote.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) also called Hardaway’s death “very sad news” on Twitter alongside a screenshot of Trump’s tribute.

Elsewhere, political commentator Tudor Dixon wrote on Twitter: “My heart breaks upon hearing of the tragic loss of our friend Diamond. Her personality was bigger than life with an infectious faith that undoubtedly led thousands to Christ. Her love for this country was strong and true. Rest in Peace beautiful lady. Prayers for Silk and family.”

Father Frank Pavone, leader of the pro-life organization Priests for Life, shared a photo of himself alongside the two sisters on Twitter, writing: “May she Rest In Peace. And may all of us follow her example of being outspoken advocates of freedom, unafraid to stand for the greatness of America and unafraid to criticize those who want to destroy it.”