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Nelly Defends Trump Inauguration Ball Performance: ‘It’s an Honor’

The star spoke about the upcoming performance with podcaster Willie, admitting that the president-elect had “some f***ed up ways.”

Singer Nelly has defended his upcoming gig at Donald Trump’s inauguration celebration on Monday, calling it an “honor” to help lead the historic festivities.

The “Hot in Herre” rapper denied in an interview with podcaster Willie D on Saturday that he accepted the invitation to perform at Trump’s Liberty Ball on Monday evening for a paycheck.

“I’m not doing this for money. I’m doing this because it’s an honor,” Nelly said on Willie D Live.

He insisted that he would have agreed to perform regardless of who was taking office.

“I respect the office. 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 put their lives on the line for whoever is in office. If they can put their life on the line for whoever’s in office, I can damn sure perform,” he said.

The singer then dismissed concerns about Trump’s past history, which includes supporting white supremacists and insurrectionists.

“We can talk about the past, but we can never talk about our past,” Nelly said. “If my past was what was going to prevent me from winning today, I wouldn’t be here,” he said. “I’m not saying that he ain’t got some f***ed up ways, that’s why I’m not telling you who to vote for.”

In 2017, the “Ride With Me’ singer said that he liked Trump, just not as his president.

“[Trump] doesn’t surprise me as a person, he surprises me as a president because you don’t expect certain things, certain attitudes,” he said at the time.

Many fans were outraged late last week following reports of his planned performance. However, his recent interview appears to have done little to repair his standing with his fans.

“Nelly’s explanation for performing at Trump’s inauguration has got to be the dumbest explanation provided,” wrote one user on X.

“Respecting the office is one thing, but ignoring the harm caused by the person in it is another,” another wrote. “Accountability matters.”

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Amethyst MartinezBreaking News Intern

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