Nelly defended his decision to perform at President Trump’s inaugural ball, explaining that the event “is not a campaign trail.”
“I’m not political,” Nelly said during a livestream with Willie D on Saturday night. “I’m not trying to tell anyone who they should vote for.”
His performance, along with others, has sparked backlash. Fans criticized artists, including Carrie Underwood, Gavin DeGraw, and Billy Ray Cyrus, for accepting invitations to perform. Nelly will appear at the Liberty Inaugural Ball, initially billed as a “surprise musical guest” alongside Jason Aldean and the Village People.
“I’m not here to tell you who to vote for,” Nelly continued. “Do your homework. Figure out what helps you and your loved ones. I don’t have all the answers.” He emphasized that he respects the office of the president. “Politics is over. He won. He’s the president. He’s the commander in chief of the greatest country in the world.”
Nelly shared his perspective on the military, recalling his childhood on a Texas base. “If these people can risk their lives for the office, I can perform,” he said. “It’s an honor to perform for the president, no matter who’s in office.”
He expressed disappointment over the criticism from fans. “If President Biden asked me to perform, I would have. If Vice President Harris had won and invited me, I would have performed. I didn’t know I had to agree with your political views to earn your support.”
When asked if he’s a Trump supporter, Nelly replied, “I support the president of the United States, no matter who is in office. I respect the office.” He also noted, “Performing for someone and voting for them are two different things.”
