Influencer Bobbi Althoff has ignited fury after appealing to Donald Trump for an interview with her to allow him to 'form new opinions' after she appeared to be shaken by an experience with ICE.
The one time social media sensation accepted she may not 'be the most educated person' but told her millions of followers in a three-minute video online 'what is happening right now is very scary'.
'President Trump, if you're watching this... I am asking you to please sit down and have an interview with me,' she said.
'I think perhaps you surround yourself with people who agree with you and maybe you need to hear another perspective.'
Her request comes after a close family friend was rounded up by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents.
Althoff accused ICE agents this week of racially profiling people in their efforts to track down and round up illegal immigrants.
In her plea to Trump, Althoff described herself as as someone who grew up 'very Republican, very conservative, very Christian,' and with 'a lot of family members who are that way still' until she met her ex-husband when she did a 'complete 180'.
She said: 'I think we can have a good conversation and perhaps I can open your mind to things you are perhaps closed to.'
Influencer and podcaster Bobbi Althoff has sensationally begged President Donald Trump to take part in an interview with her about his immigration policies after a close family friend was rounded up by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents
'President Trump, if you're watching this... I am asking you to please sit down and have an interview with me,' she said
Althoff's message to Trump drew wide-reaching criticism from MAGA supporters who have criticized everything from her interview style to her marriage breakdown.
'I've seen what she does to interview subjects, creating awkward moments for viral clips is her whole shtick. Easy hard pass from Team Trump,' one critic wrote.
Another added: 'Didn’t she cheat on her husband? Now she’s lecturing Mexicans and politics. Bit rich.'
Althoff admitted she was expecting backlash when she made the public appeal, but argued it is a 'huge problem' that people aren't willing to speak with others who hold different beliefs to themselves.
'It's okay to be wrong and it's okay to change your mind... for this world to get better people need to change their mind and open their mind and form new opinions,' she said.
Speaking directly to Trump, she said: 'I would love an opportunity to try and speak to you and, obviously, just... I think people can change.
'I'm just doing whatever I can to try to make a positive dent in this world.'
In an earlier statement, Althoff said the incident involving her family friend happened when he was shopping with her father - a white man - at a Home Depot
She was accused by critics of being an 'industry plant,' due to the fact that she'd been able to start booking A-list guests on her podcast so soon
In an earlier statement, Althoff said the incident involving her family friend happened when he was shopping with her father - a white man - at a Home Depot.
'Masked ICE agents pulled up in an unmarked car, asked only him for ID - not my white dad - and then took him away,' she said.
'You don't have to agree with me on immigration but this isn't okay. Racial profiling is never okay. Nobody should be pulled from their car by masked men just because of how they look.'
Althoff had a large following on TikTok but became a viral internet sensation after her 2023 deadpan interview with Drake in her The Really Good podcast.
The interview, which was released in July 2023, racked up close to 10 million views in just one month and turned the mom-of-two into social media's most viral comedian.
Interviews with Mark Cuban, Offset, Scarlett Johansson, Shaquille O'Neal soon followed, as well as lucrative brand deals and a spot on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list.
But it all seemed to come crashing down shortly after when she had a sensational falling out with Drake. The episode which made her a star was pulled from her channel.
The pair unfollowed each other on social media and in 2024 Althoff was allegedly removed from the rapper's after party at the South by Southwest festival in Texas.
Around the same time, she was accused by critics of being an 'industry plant,' due to the fact that she'd been able to start booking A-list guests on her podcast so soon.
Her personal life took a hit in February 2024 when her husband Cory filed for divorce after four years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences.
Althoff had a large following on TikTok but became a viral internet sensation after her 2023 deadpan interview with Drake
Her personal life took a hit in February 2024 when her husband Cory filed for divorce after four years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences
Althoff has since officially ended her podcast
He listed their official separation date as July, 2023, which aligned with the timing of her viral Drake interview.
'Do you really believe that it was my dream in life to be a divorced mom of two kids by 25? Obviously not,' she said after her split.
'I'm obviously insecure about it and wish things played out differently in my life. But that's life, things don't always end up how we expect them to.'
Althoff officially ended The Really Good podcast last month. She has launched a new show called Not This Again.
