Nelly is staying positive through Donald Trump’s current presidential term – despite the fact his approval rating at 100 days in is lower than any other president in over 70 years.
Earlier this year, the “Country Grammar” rapper caught flack over his decision to perform at Trump’s inauguration, one he later doubled down on by saying, “He’s the president — he won!”
Upon news of Trump’s historically low 41% approval rating over the weekend, Fox News caught up with Nelly at Stagecoach and asked how he thinks things are going…and he didn’t seem too upset.
“I’m all for everybody staying positive about any and everything,” he said. “I’m a glass half-full type of guy. I’m more empowered on bringing people together and making sure that we all get what we need, when we need it and why we need it.”
Among many others, Janelle Monáe had some choice words for Nelly over his inauguration performance while hitting the mic at Anderson .Paak’s Grammy Awards afterparty in February.
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In video obtained by TMZ, the singer/actress can be seen vibing with Anderson as a live band played covers of popular songs. And when Nelly’s “Hot In Herre” came on, Janelle decided to spit a freestyle to address his decision.
I used to like Nelly, but then he went to perform for Donald Trump/Fuck that n-gga, don’t give a fuck,” she rapped. “I’m with my family and ain’t nobody gonna hate on us/I care about women, I care about Hispanics, I care about Spanish people/I care about Black people, I care about gay people.”
She continued: “Fuck you Nelly, you sold out/I used to think he was cool, but now you look like a muthafuckin fool/Going to the inauguration to participate with some n-gga who don’t give a fuck about how you feeling/I don’t care what you really saying/I might be a little tipsy but I know everything that I’m saying!”
Speaking to Geto Boys legend Willie D ahead of the performance, Nelly explained why he agreed to perform at the pro-Trump event and denied it was because of money.
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“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.
“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.”
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.”
