Once again, Madonna seems to have confused facetiousness with profundity. 

As The Guardian report, the singer described President Obama as a “black Muslim” midway through a recent show. During her tour stop in Washington on Monday, Madonna said: “Now, it’s so amazing and incredible to think that we have an African-American in the White House … we have a black Muslim in the White House … it means there is hope in this country, and Obama is fighting for gay rights, so support the man, goddamnit”.

Madonna has subsequently issued a statement in order to clarify her remarks: “I was being ironic on stage. Yes, I know Obama is not a Muslim – though I know that plenty of people in this country think he is. And what if he were? The point I was making is that a good man is a good man, no matter who he prays to. I don’t care what religion Obama is – nor should anyone else in America”.

Madonna has been a high-profile supporter of Obama during this tour, occasionally whipping off her shirt to reveal ‘Obama’ scrawled on her back. Still, after her contentious remarks about MDMA  and her somewhat blunderheaded attempts to rile France’s far right Front National party, it’s a frustrating reminder that the singer’s sensationalist instincts tend to override even her more noble sentiments.  

Footage of Madonna’s Washington speech is available to watch below.