Pro-Trump commentator Diamond wasn't sick and 'just collapsed' when she died, her friend Mike Lindell says

• Diamond of pro-Trump duo Diamond and Silk suddenly "collapsed" when she died, Mike Lindell said.
• Lynette "Diamond" Hardaway's pal Lindell told Insider the social media personality was not sick.
• Silk had also pushed back on rumors that Diamond, 51, died this week of COVID-19.

Pro-Trump social media personality Lynette "Diamond" Hardaway of the right-wing political commentary sister duo Diamond and Silk wasn't sick before she died this week and "just collapsed" suddenly "out of the blue," her friend MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell said on Wednesday.

"It's very tragic because it's one of the saddest things," Lindell told Insider of Hardaway's death. "To have something happen like that just out of the blue — I can't say enough words. It's tragic."

The death of 51-year-old Hardaway was announced on Monday night on the official social media pages for Diamond and Silk and former President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform.

"The World just lost a True Angel and Warrior Patriot for Freedom, Love, and Humanity! Diamond blazed a trail, founded on her passion and love for the entire race of humanity. In this time of grief, please respect the privacy of Diamond's family but remember and celebrate the gift that she gave us all! Memorial Ceremony to be announced soon," read a post on the duo's Facebook account.

In his post, Trump said: "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."

"Silk was with her all the way, and at her passing," Trump said of Hardaway's sister, Rochelle "Silk" Richardson. "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 pair's official page posted a link to an online fundraiser for donations to "[preserve] Diamond's Legacy"; the GiveSendGo page has raised more than $65,000 as of Wednesday afternoon — with proceeds going to Richardson.

Lindell told Insider that Richardson called him shortly after on Monday night to let him know about her sister's passing.

"She was crying. It was very sad," Lindell said. "We prayed, and I prayed for her, and we prayed, and we were on the phone for quite a while."

It was not immediately clear how Hardaway died, but in the aftermath of her death, rumors began to swirl on social media that she died as a result of COVID-19, prompting her sister to push back.

"I will NOT allow you or any other MOFO the opportunity to disparage, slander & lie on my sister & I," Diamond and Silk's Twitter account posted on Wednesday in response to a post by author and Temple University professor Marc Lamont Hill.

—Diamond and Silk® (@DiamondandSilk) January 11, 2023

"Where's your proof that my sister was ever hospitalized due to Covid and that we were fired from Fox? Investigate Before You Celebrate! You have until 12 noon today to retract," the tweet continued.

Hill replied: "I haven't actually heard you say that the November hospitalization for COVID didn't happen. But if you are saying that, then I accept that. And I happily retract."

Lindell told Insider that he didn't know how Hardaway died and said, "I don't think anyone does. She wasn't sick."

"I would assume when you [completely] collapse, it could be anything, an aneurysm, who knows?" Lindell said. "I don't know why people are saying stuff online."

Diamond and Silk duo declared they were Trump's "most loyal supporters" and became famous for their die-hard backing of the former president — even meeting with Trump in person.

The sisters were hired by Fox News in 2018 to produce videos for the network's Fox Nation subscription platform, but they were reportedly axed in 2020 for airing COVID-19 conspiracies.

Since 2021, the sisters did a show on Lindell's streaming site, Frank.

Lindell told Insider they were "excited" to do their show scheduled on Monday after being off for over two weeks for the holidays.

"She brought joy and hope to everyone. She was always, always optimistic," Lindell said of Hardaway.

Lindell said that she had an "amazing gift" of "mixing comedy with seriousness."

"She was just an amazing gift," he added.

Insider has reached out to "Diamond and Silk" for comment but hasn't heard back.