Katherine Heigl is speaking out amid fervent backlash to her appearance at Mar-a-Lago over the weekend.

The “Grey’s Anatomy” actor attended the Wine, Women & Shoes fundraiser with her mother, Nancy, at President Donald Trump’s Palm Beach, Florida, estate on Sunday. Though the president did not appear to be in attendance, the event was co-chaired by his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, and raised a reported $5.5 million for Big Dog Ranch Rescue, a canine rescue, shelter and adoption facility.

As many outlets pointed out, the event marked Heigl’s first red carpet appearance in about two years. Not surprisingly, the news drew heated criticism from fans, with many suggesting the actor’s attendance was indicative of her political views.

“This is an event for dog rescue ... Trump owns Mar-a-Lago,” comedian and internet personality Meredith Lynch proclaimed on TikTok. “Trump hired [former Homeland Security Secretary] Kristi Noem, who shot her dog. Do you see the disconnect there?”

In a statement issued to the New York Post’s Page Six and the online outlet JustJared late Wednesday, however, Heigl defended her appearance, but steered clear of any mention of her personal politics.

“Animals don’t vote. The only room they don’t like is the euthanasia room at a shelter,” she wrote. “They are completely at the mercy of us, and they have no voice of their own. This event was about animal advocacy — something that has always been deeply personal to me. Anyone who knows me knows that protecting animals is one of my greatest passions.”

“As a society, we should all come together to protect the voiceless and the innocent. This should not be a polarizing issue,” she continued, before concluding: “I’m so grateful to everyone who showed up, supported, and continues to stand up for those who can’t speak for themselves.”

As of Thursday morning, Heigl appeared to have shut off comments on her Instagram account. Prior to doing so, however, the actor reportedly clapped back at a number of users who questioned her motivations.

“Just curious…what do you do that really matters…do you think comments on an instagram post matter to animals who have had humans pour gasoline on them and set them on fire?” she wrote, according to People. “Who have had humans vote conservative or liberal but have been left to starve and suffer?”

When another person suggested Heigl could’ve supported other animal advocacy groups, she replied: “How are you so sure about that…have you been to any? ... Have you done anything more than comment on what someone else is doing or not doing to your standard? Just curious…”

Heigl ― who currently resides in Utah with her husband, musician Josh Kelley, and their three children ― is not the only television star to face backlash for appearing at Mar-a-Lago, even at an event with a seemingly nonpartisan aim.

Last year, John Stamos was hit with similar backlash after he emceed a Mar-a-Lago-based fundraiser for the Palm Beach Ray of Hope Foundation, a health care professional nonprofit.

The “Full House” actor, who supported former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, later issued a statement clarifying that his “values and political views remain unchanged.”

“I stand by the importance of healthcare, of service, and of investing in those who care for our communities,” he wrote, and included a link to the nonprofit organization Democracy Forward.

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