A number of musicians have faced backlash for agreeing to perform at President-elect Trump’s inauguration.
Rapper Nelly, scheduled to perform at the Liberty Ball on Monday, has defended his decision to participate.
“I’m not doing this for money. I’m doing this because it’s an honor. I respect the office,” said the St. Louis native during a live conversation with fellow rapper, Willie D. source
TRUMP INAUGURATION PERFORMER LEE GREENWOOD DEFENDS CARRIE UNDERWOOD AGAINST CRITICS
Rapper Nelly defended his decision to perform at Donald Trump’s inaugural ball on Monday. (Erika Goldring/Getty Images/Valerie Plesch/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“It doesn’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,” continued the rapper, who was born on a military base.
“So, if they can put their life on the line for whoever is in office, I can surely perform for whoever is in office.”
Nelly believes that his decision to perform is not political. (Miikka Skaffari/FilmMagic/Getty Images)
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A source close to the artist told Fox News Digital that in addition to his father, Nelly’s aunts and uncles “all served in the military for our democracy and the right for us all to vote. He has personally stayed away from politics and wouldn’t participate in campaigning for anyone, but this performance is for the highest office,” reaffirming that the 50-year-old considers the performance to be “an honor.”
During the conversation with Willie D., the “Hot in Herre” singer also spoke directly to his critics, balking at the suggestion that Trump was a white supremacist. “I would ask them to show me where he’s a white supremacist,” Nelly retorted.
A source close to the rapper told Fox News Digital he will be performing at the Liberty Ball. (Michael Tran/AFP via Getty Images)
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“The politics, for me, is over. He won! He’s the president,” said the rapper earlier in the conversation. “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. 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,” he concluded.
Donald Trump has invited several A-list musicians to perform at his inauguration. (Evan Vucci/AP)
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Nelly isn’t the only musician receiving backlash for playing inaugural events. Country artist Carrie Underwood, set to perform “America the Beautiful” at the inauguration, released a statement ahead of any controversy, stating she chose to perform out of love for her country.
“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,” said Underwood in a statement. “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.”
Other artists expected to play for Trump include Kid Rock, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Lee Greenwood, who defended Underwood against critics in an interview with Fox News Digital.
