Rapper Snoop Dogg sparked outrage after performing at a cryptocurrency-themed inauguration event celebrating President-elect Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. on Friday.
The 53-year-old artist appeared at the Inaugural Crypto Ball held at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, where he performed hits including "Drop It Like It's Hot" while DJing popular songs. The event, which charged up to $5,000 per ticket, was hosted by incoming White House "Crypto Czar" David Sacks.
Critics quickly pointed out Snoop Dogg's apparent reversal from his previous anti-Trump stance. In 2017, the rapper had vowed to "roast" any artist willing to perform at Trump's inauguration. He also stated in 2020 that he would vote for the first time specifically to remove Trump from office.
Social media erupted with angry responses from fans and critics alike. "I have deleted all Snoop Dogg songs from my playlists.. i have blocked him from my accounts," wrote one user on X. Another declared it was "time to throw @SnoopDogg in the dumpster with the rest of Trump's white supremacist, insurrectionist allies."
The rapper's recent change in attitude toward Trump became apparent in a 2024 Sunday Times interview where he expressed "nothing but love and respect" for the former president. Snoop credited Trump for pardoning Death Row Records founder Michael "Harry-O" Harris.
"Donald Trump? He ain't done nothing wrong to me," Snoop told the newspaper. "He has done only great things for me."
The controversy extends beyond Snoop Dogg, as fellow performers including country singer Carrie Underwood and rapper Nelly are also scheduled to appear at official inauguration events on Monday.
Representatives for Snoop Dogg have not responded to requests for comment about the performance and subsequent backlash.