Lynnette “Diamond” Hardaway.Photo: Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP

Lynnette Hardaway, left, and Rochelle Richardson, a.k.a. Diamond and Silk, arrive at the LA Premiere of “Death of a Nation” at the Regal Cinemas at L.A. Live on July 31, 2018, in Los Angeles. Hardaway, known by the moniker “Diamond” of the conservative political commentary duo “Diamond and Silk”, has died, former President Donald Trump and the pair’s official Twitter account announced Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. She was 51.

Lynette “Diamond” Hardaway’s cause of death has been revealed.

The internet star, whodied on Jan. 8at the age of 51, was one-half of the conservative political commentator duoDiamond and Silk.

Unsubstantiated rumors had been flying on social media that COVID-19 was to blame for her death — something her sister Rochelle Richardson (“Silk”),an outspoken anti-vaxxer, denied.

“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 in his post at the time. “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!”

The Diamond and Silk verified Twitter account confirmed the news in itsown statement, which read: “The World just lost a True Angel and Warrior Patriot for Freedom, Love, and Humanity! Please respect the privacy of Diamond’s family! Memorial Ceremony TBA.”

President Donald Trump and Diamond and Silk.Oliver Contreras/SIPA USA via AP

President Donald Trump hugs conservative social media figure Rochelle Richardson, known as Silk of “Diamond and Silk” as she and Lynnette Hardaway, known as Diamond, come on to the stage at the president’s invitation at his social media summit with prominent conservative social media figures on July 11, 2019 in Washington, DC.

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Diamond and Silk rose to fame in conservative media circles during Trump’s 2016 bid for president. The two said they were former Democrats who switched parties specifically to support Trump, calling themselves his “biggest supporters” and posting videos about the then-candidate on YouTube.

Their YouTube channel grew in popularity, ultimately landing them prime speaking gigs on both conservative television and at Republican events.

Trump showed up to honor Hardaway at a memorial ceremony held in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on Saturday. In his eulogy for her, her noted that he only really knew Diamond, despite that fact that she and Silk were always together including to visits the two made to the White House when Trump was president.

“I thought I knew them both. I didn’t,” Trump said during his speech, which was streamed online. “I knew Diamond, but I didn’t know Silk at all. I just learned about Silk.”

Fox News cut ties with the political commentators after they posted a tweet criticizing coronavirus stay-at-home orders, and suggesting that staying indoors with “will make people sick.”

Later, the pair began hosting a show calledDiamond and Silk: Crystal Clearon far-right fringe network Newsmax.

source: people.com