I spent a few years in the 90s as a musician in Bette's touring band. She was always insane - long before politics. She was very abusive to the musicians in the band and ruled everything in an almost dictator-like fashion. No, we weren't friends with her. We didn't hang out with her at the hotel bar. I just did my job and went back on the bus or to the hotel. We used to rehearse for 3 months before the tour and it was hell - she'd insult the musicians left and right over the tiniest stuff. I'm not gonna tell stories because I'll end up doxing myself but really, she'd flip over minute shit and call out musicians in front of the rest of the band and just shit on them.
I did two tours and I had enough.
"Why would you stay for that kind of shit?" you ask... Well, it's still a great position for a musician - you get paid really well for that kind of stuff. This was in the 90s and I was getting $2500 a week for a 3 month tour - all expenses paid, food provided, and a per diem. That's what those level tours pay.
Besides, you kinda get used to it. I hate to break it to you, but a lot...and I mean A LOT of the people you probably love or idolize in music are completely unhinged and fucking deranged and abusive people. I guess to become narcissistic enough to be a star it attracts a certain personality type. So it's just another tour where you cash your check and tune out the abuse.
Two others I've toured in the band of and are equally nasty and abusive? Rick Springfield and Cyndi Lauper. Cyndi actually might be the nastiest and most abusive I've ever toured with. And she's another batshit liberal - big surprise.