Nelly has defended his controversial decision to perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration ball after facing heavy criticism from fans.
Trump has announced three different parties across the U.S. to celebrate his return to the presidency, with the St. Louis rapper booked to perform at the Inaugural Liberty Ball in Washington, D.C. on Monday night (January 20).
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Speaking to Geto Boys legend Willie D over the weekend, Nelly explained why he agreed to perform at the pro-Trump event and denied it was because of money.
“He’s the president — he won! This isn’t a campaign, this isn’t the RNC. I’m not out on the political campaign [trail]. I didn’t get none of that 1.5 [million dollars] to try to help somebody get voted,” he said.
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“I’m not doing this for money. I’m doing this because it’s an honor. I respect the office. It don’t matter who is in office. The same way that our men and women, our brothers and sisters who protect this country, have to go to war for whoever is in office.
“If they can put their lives on the line for whoever’s in office, I can damn sure perform for whoever’s in office.”
The “Hot In Herre” hitmaker also argued that he doesn’t need to be politically aligned with his fanbase, and that his track record of helping people is more important than who he may or may not have voted for.
“If politics are above anything that a person stands for and has done, then I apologize that I quote-unquote let you down,” he said. “Because I thought you were riding with me for the scholarships that I’ve given away since, the people that I got signed up for the bone marrow stem cell registry to help save lives, the children that we visit at hospitals, the bikes and the presents that we give away to kids at Christmas.
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“I did not know you were riding with me because you thought I would ride for who you voted for. I apologize. I didn’t know that I had to agree with your political choices. I thought it was [about] the things that you do, not the things that you say should be done.”
Nelly also defended Trump from claims that he is a white supremacist.
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“Show me where he’s a white supremacist,” he said before taking a long pause to think and mistakenly connecting the two-time president to controversial moves such as the 1994 Crime Bill.
“Okay, he did not rent to Black people in the ’70s and ’80s, is that what they said? Is he renting to them now? So nobody’s allowed to change? […] If my past had prevented me from winning today, I wouldn’t be here.”
He added: “I’m not saying that he ain’t got some fucked up ways. That’s why I’m not telling you who to vote for. But what I’m saying is, he’s the President of the United States; he’s not a candidate.”
Despite his support for Trump, Nelly has previously been critical of the businessman-turned-politician, telling Page Six in 2017: “You know the thing about Donald Trump is that I liked Donald Trump, I did — I just don’t like Donald Trump as my president.
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“Dude is a trip. Pre-presidency, I was cool with the Donald. Loved his hotels. I’m more or less mad at him because I can’t stay at his hotel now. You done fucked that up. And I’ve been staying there for 15 years, and now you pull this? Get it together, homie.”
The former St. Lunatics leader is not the only rapper who has been criticized for performing at a Trump-associated event in recent days.
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Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross and Soulja Boy all performed at the Crypto Ball in Washington, D.C. over the weekend to significant online backlash.
