Chris Brown pushed back after receiving official congressional recognition from Texas lawmakers.
On social media, he made it clear that he never asked to be honored in the first place. Following intense online pushback over the ceremonial recognition presented by U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and Texas State Rep. Venton Jones.
Brown took to Instagram to distance himself from the political fallout, telling officials to leave him alone so he can keep his focus squarely on the fans filling arenas on his tour.
“Funny thing is, y’all came to me with this! Not the other way around,” Brown wrote. “I was minding my damn business. My shows in Dallas were already sold out. I ain’t ask to be honored because I knew some sh-t like this would happen, and @ventonionest immediately started tap dancing and apologizing because he didn’t wanna lose voters and support.”
“I have a great idea… how about yall leave me the f-ck alone,” he added. “And let me focus on the fans that spent their money to actually see and support me.”
Crockett awarded Brown and R&B musician Usher a congressional record recognition at a performance in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday. Alongside Jones, Crockett said she was there to “honor” Brown and Usher.
“We are experiencing Black joy at the highest level,” Crockett said. “And I wanted to make sure we document that at the congressional level. So let’s give it up again for Chris Brown.”
Roxane Gay wrote on Threads about her shock at Crockett’s gesture.
“What the hell is [Jasmine Crockett] thinking? This is such a bizarre and unacceptable misstep,” said Gay. “She just flew on stage and gave a known abuser of Black women (multiple allegations past and recent) a congressional honor.”
BROWN’S LEGAL WOES AND ABUSE ALLEGATIONS
Brown has been hit with repeated allegations of physical violence, domestic abuse, and sexual assault. He pled guilty to felony assault after violently beating his then-girlfriend Rihanna ahead of the Grammy Awards. It resulted in five years of probation and mandatory domestic violence counseling. In 2017, a five-year restraining order was granted to ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran over death threats and physical abuse claims, a string of nightclub altercations. Also, in 2023, a London bottle attack led to a UK charge of grievous bodily harm—and multiple civil lawsuits alleging sexual battery.