Hip-hop icon Nelly is under fire after a fiery rant targeting Vice President Kamala Harris and clarifying his reasons for performing at an event tied to Donald Trump. The controversy resurfaced during his appearance on Hot 97’s Ebro in the Morning podcast, where the rapper pushed back against claims that he was "Pro-Trump" for taking the stage at Trump’s inauguration Liberty Ball.

“Where did you get pro-Donald?” Nelly asked rhetorically. “What you had was ‘respect for office.’ People love to twist narratives to fit their agenda instead of just looking at the facts.”

Nelly Defends His Legacy, Takes Aim at Harris’ Record

Facing backlash online, Nelly took to The Shade Room’s comments section to defend himself and directly criticize Kamala Harris. He blasted the former prosecutor for her record of incarcerating Black men and raised eyebrows by calling out her interracial marriage to Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.

Nelly, who recently welcomed a child with singer Ashanti, expressed frustration that he and fellow artist Snoop Dogg were being criticized for engaging with the Trump administration, despite years of community work. “We’ve done more for our communities over 20+ years than most of the people talking trash,” he wrote. “From scholarships to HBCUs to helping young boys in L.A. through youth football programs our impact is real.”

He also emphasized that both he and Snoop are “Black men married to beautiful Black women with Black children,” saying that should be celebrated, not attacked.

Nelly insisted his decision to perform for Trump was about honoring the presidency, not politics. “Any president who calls on Nelly it would be an honor. It’s not about money. It’s not about race. It’s about respect for the office.”

As public debate swirled, fans were divided. Some supported his stance, while others questioned his motives and the unexpected shade toward Harris.