Diamond, of pro-Trump duo Diamond and Silk, dies aged 51

Diamond, the conservative political commentator and one-half of the pro-Trump Diamond and Silk duo, has passed away at the age of 51, NBC News reported. Real name Lynette Hardaway, the news of her passing was announced on the group’s Twitter account as well as the former president on Monday.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Donald Trump reportedly referred to Diamond’s death as “really bad news for Republicans.” “Our beautiful Diamond of Diamond and Silk has just passed away at her home in the state she loved so much, North Carolina,” the former president shared.

“Diamond’s death was totally unexpected,” he added. Details of her cause of death weren’t revealed. The group’s Twitter account also announced her death in a post saying, “The World just lost a True Angel and Warrior Patriot for Freedom, Love, and Humanity!” The post also asked for donations to be made to a fundraising account that had been set up in her honor.

The announcement of Diamond’s death comes after the duo’s Twitter page shared a post in November where it asked anyone “who believes in the power of prayer” to “please pray for Diamond.” No details about her condition were released at the time.

The duo gained considerable attention in 2016 when they endorsed then-candidate Trump and promoted him on their YouTube page during the lead-up to the presidential election. The duo claimed they were initially lifelong members of the Democratic Party, but they opted to become Republicans to support Trump after he announced his intention to run for president, NBC News reported.

Trump also publicly voiced his support for the sisters – labeling them as Black American women who had endorsed a White Republican that had been questioned for his efforts in promoting inclusivity. The duo were also among the guests who attended Trump’s 2017 inauguration.

FOX News ultimately offered the sisters contributor positions at the network. But in 2020, the company terminated its relationship with the duo for spreading COVID-19 conspiracies on air after they claimed death figures had been distorted to cast a bad light on Trump.

The duo labeled themselves as Trump’s “most loyal supporters.” Trump, on Truth Social, suggested Diamond “probably” died because “her big and precious heart just plain gave out.”