Snoop Dogg and others face heat for performing at Trump’s pre-inauguration ball
This story first appeared in NPR’s live blog of Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration, where you can find more coverage and context from the day.
The rapper Snoop Dogg has been taking criticism for performing at one of President Trump’s pre-inauguration events over the weekend.
He, along with rappers Soulja Boy and Rick Ross, performed at the Crypto Ball — an event honoring Trump, billing him “America’s first ‘crypto president.'”
Social media users were quick to point out that Snoop Dogg had previously criticized anyone performing for President Trump in 2017. “I’m waiting. I’m gonna roast the f*** outta you,” Snoop Dogg said ahead of Trump’s first inauguration, calling anyone willing to perform “Uncle Toms.”
Snoop Dogg has yet to respond to the criticism. But Soulja Boy, the rapper behind the 2007 hit “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” responded to the criticism online saying “they paid me a bag.”
One of the people defending the rappers is Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who posted on X: “Performers at least know they are there to perform and get paid, but these politicians who ran their mouth for 4 yrs and are now willing to be there and clap for him, that’s who they should be mad at. They lied to you and your criticism/anger should be rightfully directed at them.”
Another rapper set to perform at an inaugural event today is Nelly. He defended his decision in an interview with Willie D, saying it wasn’t a partisan decision. “I’m here to perform for the office,” he said.
Country star Carrie Underwood also had to defend her planned appearance at today’s inauguration. “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,” she said in a statement provided to NPR.
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