Nelly has addressed the heated criticism he received earlier this year after performing at Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration.
The Hot in Herre rapper was widely slammed by fans and fellow celebrities for his appearance at the event, with many accusing him of endorsing the former president. The backlash intensified after Nelly publicly defended the performance, calling it “an honor” and likening the controversy to the scrutiny Beyoncé faced from country music circles over her Cowboy Carter album.
Now, while promoting his new Peacock reality series We Belong Together alongside his wife Ashanti, Nelly is setting the record straight. In a candid interview on Hot 97, the GRAMMY winner pushed back against host Ebro’s suggestion that he was “pro-Trump.”
“Where did you get ‘pro-Donald Trump’?” Nelly questioned. “It’s great how people spin narratives to fit whatever they’re against, instead of just giving a brother credit for what he actually did and said.”
He emphasized that his performance was motivated by respect for the office of the presidency, not political alignment.
“It was truly an honor because no other president ever asked me to do anything. That doesn’t mean I agree with how that president does things.”
Highlighting the double standard, Nelly reminded listeners that just a year prior, he performed at an event with Vice President Kamala Harris — an appearance that received little to no attention.
“Nobody ever brought it up,” he said, calling the entire controversy “click bait.”
Despite the uproar, Nelly stood by his decision and reiterated: “I never endorsed any president.”
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