Snoop Dogg has landed himself in the middle of a social media firestorm after performing at an event tied to Donald Trump’s second inauguration. The rapper, long known for his outspoken criticism of Trump, shocked fans by taking the stage at the inaugural “Crypto Ball,” hosted by tech investor David Sacks, who is poised to serve as the incoming administration’s AI and Crypto Czar. As footage of the performance made its way online, reactions ranged from disbelief to outright condemnation, with many of Snoop’s followers accusing him of betraying his roots and principles.
The backlash began almost immediately after clips of Snoop’s set, which included his hit “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and DJ favorites like Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing,” surfaced on platforms like Instagram and X. Longtime fans voiced their frustration, branding the rapper a “sellout” and “fraud.” One user wrote, “I never thought I’d have Snoop Dogg being a Trump supporter on my bingo card… But here we are,” while another bluntly declared, “What the FK, @snoopdogg? Traitorous bullst.” Others pledged to boycott his music, with some saying they had deleted his songs from their playlists entirely.
Snoop, now 53, has a history of publicly criticizing Trump, including a 2017 music video in which he portrayed a mock assassination of a Trump-like clown. However, he made waves last year when he softened his stance, citing personal reasons.
Specifically, Snoop credited Trump for pardoning his longtime associate and collaborator Michael “Harry-O” Harris, a co-founder of Death Row Records who had been serving a lengthy prison sentence for drug charges. In an interview, Snoop remarked, “Donald Trump? He ain’t done nothing wrong to me. He has done only great things for me… So I have nothing but love and respect for Donald Trump.”
Still, fans and critics alike are struggling to reconcile his earlier antagonism with his current support, particularly given the highly polarizing nature of Trump’s presidency. The “Crypto Ball,” held at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., drew a mix of tech elites and political insiders.
Tickets reportedly ranged from $2,500 to $5,000, making the event exclusive and, for many, symbolic of the Trump administration’s alignment with powerful tech figures like Elon Musk and David Sacks. The irony of Snoop’s appearance wasn’t lost on his fans, who have long viewed him as an anti-establishment figure.
Snoop isn’t the only artist catching heat for agreeing to perform at inauguration-related events. Country star Carrie Underwood, who is slated to sing at Trump’s swearing-in ceremony, also faced criticism for participating.
While Underwood framed her performance as an act of patriotism, stating, “I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing… at a time when we must all come together,” fans called out the perceived hypocrisy, citing her previous support for LGBTQ+ rights. One disappointed fan quipped, “Jesus take the wheel indeed,” while others accused her of turning a blind eye to Trump’s record on LGBTQ+ issues.
Adding to the controversy, other performers at inauguration events include Billy Ray Cyrus, Nelly, and the Village People. Each name seems to provoke its own mix of surprise and disappointment among fans, many of whom expected a stronger stand against Trump from figures in the entertainment industry.
The larger narrative here reflects the ongoing culture clash surrounding Trump’s presidency. For many, participation in Trump-related events is seen as an implicit endorsement of his policies, which have been divisive at best. The inclusion of high-profile artists like Snoop Dogg and Carrie Underwood signals a shift—or at least a complication—in how celebrities navigate the political minefield of public perception.
