Children's entertainer Rachel Griffin Accurso, widely known as Ms. Rachel, has publicly supported kindergarteners who wore hijabs to their graduation ceremony, responding after former President Donald Trump shared a video of the event. Accurso, who commands a large following across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, took to Instagram to affirm the children's choice of attire.
"I am glad you wore something meaningful and special to you and your family," Accurso wrote. "I think hijabs are beautiful. Different kids wear different things that are a part of their cultures and religions, such as hijabs, kippahs, or necklaces with a cross. Some kids don’t wear anything that is from their religion or are not religious."
Her statement also included a subtle rebuke of criticism, stating, "No one’s hurtful words can take away our worth and our value! Just because someone says something does not mean it’s true!"
The video Trump shared, originally posted by the X account End Wokeness, depicted a kindergarten graduation in St. Paul, Minnesota, with many of the young girls wearing hijabs. Trump did not add a personal caption when he reposted the clip.
Accurso, whose educational content reaches millions of young viewers, highlighted her own experiences attending various religious and cultural celebrations, including Hanukkah, Eid, Easter, and Christmas, over the past year. She encouraged children facing hurtful comments to speak with a trusted adult, emphasizing hope and kindness.
This is not the first time Accurso has engaged with politically charged topics. Earlier in the year, she visited an immigration detention facility in New Jersey to meet with separated families. She has also previously faced scrutiny for her advocacy related to children in Gaza.
In January, Accurso addressed an incident where she accidentally liked an antisemitic comment on social media. She issued a statement clarifying that she does not support any form of hate speech and remains committed to her values of kindness, inclusion, and care for all people.