American rapper Nelly has responded to criticism over his decision to perform at the Liberty Ball on Monday night, part of the inaugural celebrations for President Donald Trump.
The 50-year-old Grammy-winning artist just like fellow rapper Snoop Dogg accepted an invitation to perform but explained his reasons in an interview with journalist Officer Lew on X after critics lashed out at him.
“I’m not doing this for money, I’m doing this ’cause it’s an honor. I respect the office,” Nelly said. “It don’t matter who in office.”
Nelly stated that his participation can be likened to the sacrifices that are made by members of the military.
WATCH????: Nelly responds to backlash for agreeing to perform at Donald Trump's inauguration celebration and challenges critics to show proof that Donald Trump is a white supremacist.
— Officer Lew (@officer_Lew) January 19, 2025
"I'm not doing this for money." pic.twitter.com/PeYUjvEjKo
“The same way our men and women, our brothers and sisters who protect this country have to go to war and put their life on the line for whoever’s in office… I can damn sure perform for whoever’s in office,” he said.
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In response to accusations of supporting a white supremacist, Nelly challenged his critics and asked for instances showing Trump as such. “I would ask them to show me where he’s a white supremacist.”
Nelly also made mention of historical policies, including the 1994 Crime Bill, and mistakenly made a mix-up of it with the 1986 Anti-Drug Abuse Act, which imposed harsh mandatory minimum sentences for crack cocaine offenses.
He further criticized the long-term effects of such policies, which were unfair to affected Black communities.
The music icon also left his thoughts on Trump’s controversial past, including a 1970 lawsuit which accused Trump and his father, Fred Trump, of refusing to rent to Black tenants.
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The case was settled without an admission of guilt, but it raised questions about racial discrimination in Trump’s business practices.
“See, here’s the thing—we can talk about pasts, but we never want to talk about our own pasts,” Nelly said.
“If my past was going to prevent me from winning today, I wouldn’t be here.” Acknowledging Trump’s flaws, Nelly added: “I’m not saying he ain’t got some messed-up ways… But what I’m saying is he’s the president of the United States. He won.”
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The reactions to Nelly’s comments on social media have been mixed, with some fans praising his perspective while others seemed disappointed in his decision to accept to perform at an event honoring Donald Trump.
“Nelly is a class act. He’s always seen through the garbage,” one fan wrote.
Some fans however urged him to “do more research,” and went on to criticize Trump’s policies.
