Nelly Reflects on Inauguration Backlash & Denies Being “Pro-Donald Trump”: “I’ve NEVER Endorsed Any President”

‘Hot in Herre’ hitmaker Nelly endured his fair share of heat at the top of 2025 for being one of the featured performers at Donald Trump‘s second presidential inauguration.

Slammed by fans and celebrity admirers alike, the 3-time GRAMMY winner only saw that backlash intensified once he took to press to defend the decision by calling it “an honor” and comparing the risky move to the blowback Beyonce received from Country enthusiasts for the ‘Cowboy Carter’ album.

And though he continued the year seemingly unscathed by the controversy, he’s made clear – as reiterated in a recent interview – that he’s not fond of the public’s perception of his affiliation with Trump.

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Hot on the promo trail of his new Peacock reality series ‘We Belong Together‘ with wife Ashanti, Nelly (born Cornell Haynes) visited ‘Hot 97‘ to dish on the show, his Country music ventures, fatherhood, and rekindling his romance with the R&B diva.

Host Ebro pivoted to a conversation about politics, however, and even branded the rapper “pro-Trump.”

“Where did you get ‘pro-Donald Trump’,” he asked before doubling down on his argument his inauguration performance was out of “respect” for the office of the White House. “It’s ‘great’ how people spin narratives to things that I think best fit whatever they’re against instead of giving a brother the exact fundamental of what he did and what he said.”

Further explaining his disappointment with how the public received his inauguration performance, Haynes reflected on a time he performed for Trump’s opponent – Vice President Kamala Harris.

“Just the year before I did an event with VP Kamala Harris, nobody ever brought it up,” he relayed before referring to the ordeal as “click bait.”

All-in-all, Nelly – despite the backlash – asserted he has no regrets for performing for Trump.

“It was truly an honor because no other president ever asked me to do anything; it doesn’t mean I agree with how that president [does things.],” he said. “[But], I never endorsed any president.”

See the full interview below.