In a bold move that has left many fans scratching their heads, Grammy-winning rapper Nelly is defending his controversial decision to perform at President Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration ball. The surprising announcement comes fresh off the heels of a divisive campaign season marked by inflammatory rhetoric targeting minority communities.
Nelly Responds to Inauguration Ball Backlash
Facing a firestorm of criticism on social media, Nelly took to Instagram Live to address the controversy head-on. In a candid conversation with fellow rapper Willie D, the St. Louis native made it clear that his performance should not be interpreted as a political endorsement.
This isn’t politics. The politics, for me, is over. [Trump] won! He’s the president. He’s the commander in chief of what I would like to say is the best country in the world … It is an honour for me to perform for the president of the United States, regardless of who is in office.
– Nelly, defending his inauguration ball performance
Nelly reiterated multiple times that he was motivated by respect for the office of the presidency rather than any particular affinity for Trump or his policies. “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 explained.
Timing Raises Eyebrows
What makes Nelly’s stance especially perplexing to many observers is the timing of the event. The Liberty Inaugural Ball is slated for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a national holiday commemorating the legacy of the iconic civil rights leader. Critics argue that performing at Trump’s inauguration on MLK Day sends a troubling mixed message.
Trump has faced persistent allegations of racism and xenophobia, from his birther conspiracy theories about President Obama to his disparaging comments about Mexican immigrants and Muslim refugees. More recently, his 2024 campaign was punctuated by dog whistle appeals to white grievance politics.
Fans Express Disappointment
For many of Nelly’s fans, his willingness to look past Trump’s history of bigotry for the sake of an inaugural gig feels like a betrayal. Social media lit up with expressions of anger, sadness, and confusion as the news broke.
- Not a good look, especially on MLK Day. Really thought Nelly had more integrity than this. Smdh.
- So disappointed rn…no way to spin this as anything but an endorsement of Trump’s bs. Lost a lot of respect for him today.
Still, Nelly remained adamant that taking the stage at a presidential inauguration does not equal an endorsement of that president’s character or agenda. “I didn’t know that you was riding with me because you thought I would ride for who you voted for. I didn’t know that I had to agree with your political choices,” he remarked.
A Reversal from 2017
Notably, Nelly’s stance in 2025 represents an about-face from his position during Trump’s first term. Back in 2017, the “Hot in Herre” hitmaker made it clear he was no fan of the then-POTUS, despite having enjoyed staying at his hotels previously.
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. 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.
– Nelly in 2017, criticizing President Trump
It remains unclear what prompted Nelly’s apparent change of heart regarding Trump in the intervening years. What is evident is that his decision to participate in the 2025 inauguration festivities has struck a dissonant chord with a substantial portion of his fanbase.
Other Artists Face Similar Scrutiny
Nelly isn’t the only performer catching flak for inauguration-related appearances. 70s disco legends the Village People drew ire for agreeing to perform at multiple official balls, as did hip hop stars Rick Ross and Soulja Boy for playing at a pro-crypto event honoring the “first crypto president.”
The common thread among these bookings seems to be a willingness to compartmentalize the political implications in favor of the prestigious platform and payday an inaugural gig provides. How fans will ultimately respond remains an open question.
An Unforced Error for Nelly?
As the backlash mounts, some industry watchers wonder if Nelly may come to regret his inauguration entanglement. In an era of heightened political polarization, even the appearance of Trump-adjacency carries clear risks for a rap veteran who has lately enjoyed a nostalgic resurgence.
While Nelly’s desire to honor the office of the president is understandable in a vacuum, the specific context of the Trump era – with its open flirtations with white nationalism and attacks on marginalized groups – casts his decision in a far more troubling light. Only time will tell if this inauguration controversy inflicts lasting damage on Nelly’s hard-won stature in the hip hop pantheon.
