Nelly Set to Perform at Donald Trump’s Inaugural Ball Despite Past Criticisms

Nelly’s involvement in Donald Trump’s inaugural ball on January 20 has turned heads and sparked conversations across social media. Reports confirmed by CBS indicate that the St. Louis-born rapper will be among several notable performers at the high-profile event. Sharing the stage with Nelly will be a diverse lineup of industry veterans, including Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Kid Rock, and the Village People. However, what has truly puzzled fans is Nelly’s decision to perform, given his past criticisms of Trump’s presidency.

This isn’t the first time Nelly has expressed his opinions about Donald Trump. During a 2017 interview with Page Six, the rapper candidly discussed his mixed feelings about Trump, differentiating between Trump as a celebrity and Trump as a politician. “You know, the thing about Donald Trump is that I liked Donald Trump,” Nelly remarked. “I did, I just don’t like Donald Trump as my president.” He further criticized Trump’s presidency, pointing out that the former reality star’s attitudes and actions seemed incongruous with what Americans should expect from their leader. For more updates check our Youtube channel.

“He doesn’t surprise me as a person; he surprises me as a president,” Nelly added. “Because you don’t expect certain things, certain attitudes.”

Despite his critiques, Nelly managed to inject humor into the discussion. Jokingly, he shared his disappointment about no longer being able to stay at Trump hotels after Trump’s election. “I’ve been staying there for 15 years, now you pull this? Get it together, homie!” Nelly quipped, showcasing his ability to balance critique with levity.

Nelly’s decision to perform at Trump’s event seems even more surprising given his indirect involvement in the Democratic National Convention. During the DNC, United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain quoted Nelly’s 2002 hit “Hot In Herre” to energize attendees. Fain cleverly adapted the lyrics to symbolize the urgency of the moment: “It’s getting hot in here… because you’re fired up and fed up.” The energy around the statement reflected working-class frustrations but ultimately did not translate into a political triumph.

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