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Rapper Nelly has taken a firm stance in defense of his upcoming performance at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. During a spirited exchange with fellow rapper Willie D, Nelly explained his decision to perform at the Liberty Ball on Monday, emphasizing his respect for the presidential office rather than any financial motivation.
“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 is in office. The same way that our men and women, our brothers and sisters who protect this country, have to go to war and have to put their life on the line for whoever [is] in office.”
“So, if they can put their life on the line for whoever [is] in office, I can damn sure perform for whoever [is] in office,” he added.
“He’s the President! He WON! I’m not on the campaign trail!”
Rap superstar Nelly responds to backlash after the news that he will be performing during Donald Trump’s Inaugural Ball.pic.twitter.com/yHfQ8nFDdP
— Rob Smith (@robsmithonline) January 19, 2025
The rapper shared his deep military family connections, citing his birth on an Austin military base and his family’s extensive service record. “I was born on military base in Austin. My father served. My grandfather served. My uncle served. My auntie served. My cousins served. I’ve entertainment the troops all over the world. Ain’t no money in that. That’s something that I felt I had to do because I was one of those kids on those military bases,” Nelly added.
When confronted with accusations about Trump’s alleged white supremacy, Nelly challenged critics to provide evidence. He maintained his position that the election results should be respected, declaring Trump the commander-in-chief of what he considers the world’s greatest nation.
“It is an honor for me to perform for the president of the United States, regardless of who is in office. If President Biden would’ve asked me to perform, I would’ve performed. If Vice President Kamala Harris would’ve won and asked me to perform, I would’ve performed,” he added.
Nelly responds to backlash over performing at Trump’s inauguration:
“I’m not doing this for money. I’m doing this cause it’s an honor. I respect the office. It don’t matter who is in office. The same way our men and women, our brothers and sisters who protect this country, have… pic.twitter.com/teUKmzXstZ
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) January 19, 2025
During the interview, Nelly also addressed political controversies, criticizing Biden’s controversial remarks to Charlamagne da God about Black voters. The conversation took an unexpected turn when Willie D referred to America as a “Klan country,” prompting Nelly to discuss the Democratic Party’s historical connection to the Ku Klux Klan.
“That was created by the Democrats. The Klan was created by the Democrats,” Nelly said, a historic point to which Willie D conceded. “If you tell me this a Klan country. I ask you what party did the Klan come from. All the damage the Klan did, in the 20s, the 30s, the 40s, … all the damage that they did — but that party — we supposed to forgive all of that damage?”
The inauguration event will feature other notable performers, including Carrie Underwood, Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Lee Greenwood. Underwood expressed her enthusiasm in a statement: “I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event. I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”