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Snoop Dogg and Nelly Spark Fan Outrage with Trump Inauguration Performances

Rappers Snoop Dogg and Nelly performed at events celebrating President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, with Snoop appearing at the inaugural "Crypto Ball" on Friday night and Nelly headlining the official Inaugural Liberty Ball on Monday.

This sparked a swift backlash on social media, with many Black fans feeling betrayed that the rappers would align themselves with such a controversial political figure—someone endorsed by the KKK, who called for the death of the innocent Central Park Five, and whose inauguration coincided with Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Nelly went online with fellow rapper, Willie D, to defend his decision. Nelly ranted on about why he is performing, saying, “This isn’t a campaign, this isn’t the RNC,” insisting that because President-Elect Trump won the election, this is an “honor” and he was “not political.”

Snoop Dogg has yet to issue a formal statement addressing the backlash. However, his recent actions suggest a shift in his stance towards Trump. In a 2024 interview, Snoop expressed appreciation for Trump's pardon of Death Row Records co-founder Michael Harris, stating, "Donald Trump? He ain't done nothing wrong to me. He has done only great things for me."

This prompted many reactions from X users such as:

The Bigger Picture

This situation really shines a light on the tricky relationship between celebrities and politics. Fans often expect their favorite artists to stick to the beliefs and values they've shared in the past. So, when they make unexpected moves, especially with controversial political figures, the reactions can be pretty intense and varied.

It's uncertain if these performances will have a long-term effect on their careers, but the immediate reactions highlight the challenges artists face when they step into the political spotlight.

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