Rap artist Nelly defended his decision to perform at President Donald Trump’s inaugural ball on Monday night after a host of critics came after him for it.
The 50-year-old recording artist is slated to perform alongside country singer Jason Aldean and the Village People on Monday at the Liberty Inaugural Ball, per The Guardian. Nelly’s social media was flooded with negative comments from followers who were furious that he would agree to perform at an event celebrating Trump.
Nelly addressed those critics during a conversation with rapper Willie D livestreamed on YouTube Sunday. The artist said he was “not political” and was not “trying to tell anybody who they should vote for” with his actions.
“This is not me telling you, ‘Yo, you should vote for this candidate.’ I think you should do your homework and figure out what best helps you and the people who you love and you provide for because I’m clueless on a lot of things when it gets down to it,” Nelly said.
“But what I will say is that, I respect the office. 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 honor for me to perform for the president of the United States, regardless of who is in office.”
Nelly went on to clarify that he was performing for the office of the president, not for Trump himself.
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“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 … 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. If you follow what I do, this shouldn’t even be an argument.”
As for whether he considers himself a Trump supporter, Nelly said, “I support the president of the United States regardless of who is in office. Regardless, I respect the office.”
His remarks come after recording artist Carrie Underwood was criticized for performing at Trump’s inauguration ceremony. The “American Idol” winner issued a response, saying, “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.”
She added, “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.”
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[[{“value”:”
Rap artist Nelly defended his decision to perform at President Donald Trump’s inaugural ball on Monday night after a host of critics came after him for it.
The 50-year-old recording artist is slated to perform alongside country singer Jason Aldean and the Village People on Monday at the Liberty Inaugural Ball, per The Guardian. Nelly’s social media was flooded with negative comments from followers who were furious that he would agree to perform at an event celebrating Trump.
Nelly addressed those critics during a conversation with rapper Willie D livestreamed on YouTube Sunday. The artist said he was “not political” and was not “trying to tell anybody who they should vote for” with his actions.
“This is not me telling you, ‘Yo, you should vote for this candidate.’ I think you should do your homework and figure out what best helps you and the people who you love and you provide for because I’m clueless on a lot of things when it gets down to it,” Nelly said.
“But what I will say is that, I respect the office. 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 honor for me to perform for the president of the United States, regardless of who is in office.”
Nelly went on to clarify that he was performing for the office of the president, not for Trump himself.
CELEBRATE #47 WITH 47% OFF DAILYWIRE+ MEMBERSHIPS + A FREE $20 GIFT
“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 … 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. If you follow what I do, this shouldn’t even be an argument.”
As for whether he considers himself a Trump supporter, Nelly said, “I support the president of the United States regardless of who is in office. Regardless, I respect the office.”
His remarks come after recording artist Carrie Underwood was criticized for performing at Trump’s inauguration ceremony. The “American Idol” winner issued a response, saying, “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.”
She added, “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.”
“}]]
