Nelly has responded to the backlash over his decision to perform at the Liberty Ball on Monday night, celebrating the inauguration of President Donald Trump.

The rapper, 50, who along with Snoop Dogg has agreed to take part in the inaugural festivities, explained his reasons for accepting the invitation to right-wing journalist  Officer Lew on X.  

‘I’m not doing this for money, I’m doing this ’cause it’s an honor. I respect the office.’ the Grillz artist explained. ‘It don’t matter who in office.’

He compared himself to members of the military. 

‘The same way 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 in the office. So, if they can put they life on the line for whoever in office, I can damn sure perform for whoever in office.

Lew then asked him, ‘What do you say to the people that say “we’re not giving you this backlash because of your political affiliation or because of your political choice, or whatever, we’re giving you this backlash because you are propping up a white supremacist?”‘

Nelly has responded to the backlash he’s received since signing on to perform at the Liberty Ball on Monday night in Washington, DC celebrating President Donald Trump’s inauguration 

‘I would ask them to show me where he’s a white supremacist,’ Nelly answered. 

He then brought up components of the 1994 Crime Bill sponsored by then-Senator Joe Biden, confusing it with the 1986 Crime Bill signed by Ronald Reagan, which which called for a minimum mandatory sentence of five years without parole for anyone caught with five grams of crack cocaine. 

The 1994 Crime Bill did fund the building of prisons to hold more people convicted of violent crimes and is blamed by many for the mass incarceration of members of the Black community.   

‘Okay, I did get it. He did say “if you don’t vote me, you’re not black,” right?’ he said, sarcastically referring to a comment President Joe Biden made in an interview with Charlamagne tha God before he bowed out of the race. 

Then Nelly ventured back into Trump’s past saying, ‘I’mma get to it. He did not rent to black people, what was in the 70s or 80s, is that what they said, and like, okay, is he renting to them now? So, nobody’s allowed to change?’ he queried.

In 1970, Trump and his father Fred were sued by the Justice Department for refusing to rent to people of color, but the case was settled when Trump Management promised not to discriminate any more. 

The 1968 Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to refuse to rent or sell housing based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, familial status, or national origin.

‘See, here’s the thing, we can talk about pasts, but we never want to talk about our pasts. If our pasts get brought up, in our community for a lot of what of our men did, we always call it rehab… these young brothers we been through a lot. I know I’ve been through a lot. If my past was what was going to prevent me from winning today, I wouldn’t be here.’

Nelly made the comments to journalist Officer Lew on X  who uploaded them on Saturday night, stating that he was  ‘doing this ’cause it’s an honor. I respect the office. It don’t matter who in office’

When asked about accusation he was ‘propping up a white supremacist?’ Nelly replied ‘I would ask them to show me where he’s a white supremacist’

Referring to Trump he admitted, ‘I’m not saying that he aint got some f-ed up ways, that’s not what I’m saying at all,… what I’m saying is that he’s the president of the United States. He’s not the candidate for the United States, He’s the president. He won’ (Pictured in Lancaster, PA in October 2024)

Referring to Trump he admitted, ‘I’m not saying that he aint got some f**ked up ways, that’s not what I’m saying at all, that’s why I’m not telling you who to vote for. But what I’m saying is that he’s the president of the United States. He’s not the candidate for the United States, He’s the president. He won.’

Nelly’s comments drew praise from Black and white commenters. 

‘Nelly is a class act. He’s always seen through the garbage,’ contended one fan. 

‘Key words here for NELLY. “I respect the Office.” Not about the person. This is right is no many ways.’ agreed one follower.

Nelly received praise from Black and white commenters 

Many agreed with his decision to ‘respect the office’ of President

A longtime Trump supporter said she could relate to Nelly’s comments

Another congratulated the rapper for ‘being able to see things clearly and think for himself!’

One commenter to Nelly’s Instagram page called him ‘misinformed’ and suggested he check out Project 2025 

Many other said they would not be supporting Nelly’s upcoming Where The Party Tour in which he would be headlining with Eve and Ja Rule

‘As an African American that has supported Trump since 2016 I can relate to what Nelly is saying!’ stated a fan. 

‘That interview proved how misinformed you are. Please go do your research on project 2025,’ advised a fan on Nelly’s Instagram page.

Others hinted his upcoming Where The  Party Tour in which he would be headlining with Eve and Ja Rule, could be in trouble.

‘I won’t be supporting this mess. Hope MAGA buy your tickets to the has been tour,’ contended one former fan.