Legendary rapper Snoop Dogg is under fire after performing at the Inaugural Crypto Ball in Washington, D.C., an event celebrating the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 60th U.S. president. The gala, held at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, was hosted by cryptocurrency executives who touted Trump as “America’s first ‘crypto president.’”
Though Trump himself did not attend, the event was emceed by his incoming crypto czar David Sacks, drawing further controversy.
Fans in Uproar Over “Hypocrisy”
Critics quickly took to social media to call out Snoop Dogg, 53, for participating in an event honoring Trump. Many fans pointed to the rapper’s past statements, where he openly criticized Trump and vowed to “roast” any artist willing to perform at Trump’s 2017 inauguration.
One post on X (formerly Twitter) read:
“It’s time to throw @SnoopDogg in the dumpster with the rest of Trump’s white supremacist, insurrectionist allies.”
Another user expressed disappointment:
“I have deleted all Snoop Dogg songs from my playlists. I have blocked him from my accounts.”
A Complicated History
Snoop Dogg’s relationship with Trump has been far from consistent. In a 2020 interview, the rapper declared his intent to vote for the first time, citing his desire to see Trump removed from office:
“I think I’m going to get out and vote because I can’t stand to see this punk in office one more year,” he said on Big Boy’s Neighborhood on Real 92.3.
However, his tune appeared to change in 2024 when he told the Sunday Times:
“Donald Trump? He ain’t done nothing wrong to me. He has done only great things for me.”
The apparent shift in tone has left many fans confused and outraged, with some accusing the rapper of prioritizing business over principles.
Crypto and Controversy
The Inaugural Crypto Ball celebrated the intersection of Trump’s presidency and cryptocurrency innovation. It was marketed as a tribute to the president’s role in advancing blockchain technology. For some, Snoop Dogg’s participation symbolized a shift toward aligning with financial and political elites—a far cry from his earlier image as a countercultural icon.
The Fallout
The backlash highlights the polarizing nature of Trump’s presidency and the challenges artists face when navigating political affiliations. While some fans vowed to boycott Snoop Dogg’s music, others praised him for defying expectations and broadening his connections.
Neither Snoop Dogg nor his representatives have commented publicly on the performance or the criticism.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: in an era where art, politics, and public opinion collide, even icons like Snoop Dogg aren’t immune to scrutiny.
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