Snoop Dogg, one of hip-hop’s most beloved figures, faced a significant backlash after performing at Donald Trump’s inauguration event. The Long Beach rapper lost over 571,800 Instagram followers and an additional 17,177 on X (formerly Twitter) within days of the performance. Critics pointed to his prior outspoken opposition to Trump, labeling the move hypocritical.
Backlash Over Hypocrisy Claims
In 2017, Snoop made headlines for criticizing Black entertainers who associated with Trump, calling them “Uncle Toms” and “Jiggaboos.” This history intensified criticism after his performance at the Crypto Ball during Trump’s inauguration weekend. Political commentator Ana Navarro addressed the controversy on The View, saying, “If you opposed and stood up against Trump in 2017 but are there now applauding him, Donald Trump hasn’t changed—you’ve changed.”
Political commentator Keith Boykin echoed similar sentiments, stating the performance was a “dishonor to the Black community.” Social media also erupted with disappointment. One fan wrote, “How could he turn on us? Gotta unfollow anyone performing for Trump. Luv me some Snoop Dogg, but gotta go.”
Snoop’s Response and Defenders
Despite the criticism, Snoop addressed the backlash directly in an Instagram video, expressing love over hate. “For all that hate, I’m going to answer with love,” he said. “Y’all can’t hate enough on me. I love too much. Get your life right; stop worrying about mine.”
The rapper also received support from commentators like Charlamagne Tha God and Stephen A. Smith, who argued entertainers should have the freedom to perform without political repercussions. Last year, Snoop praised Trump for granting clemency to Michael “Harry O” Harris, co-founder of Death Row Records, a gesture he called “great.”
Snoop’s social media presence remains strong, with 88.1 million followers on Instagram as of publication. However, the performance has highlighted a divide between fans and their expectations for public figures. As one alienated fan summed it up, “Damn, I had to unfollow Snoop Dogg today. He broke my heart.”