Despite his past criticism of former President Donald Trump, Snoop Dogg shocked fans when he performed at the Crypto Ball during Trump’s 2025 inauguration. This led many to ask, “Did Snoop Perform for Trump?” He lost more than 500,000 Instagram followers due to it.
Snoop Dogg’s Relationship with Donald Trump
In 2017, in a remix of ‘Lavender,’ Snoop Dogg pointed a toy gun at a clown wearing a clown suit bearing a resemblance to later then-President Donald Trump, in what was criticized by Trump and Trump attorney Michael Cohen. But in 2021, Trump did give clemency to Michael ‘Harry-O’ Harris, a co-founder of Death Row Records, and the decision to do so was something of a 180 from the Trump era, after major lobbying by Snoop Dogg and others. Given this history, many wondered, “Did Snoop Perform for Trump willingly, or was it just business?”
The Crypto Ball Performance
Snoop Dogg performed at the Crypto Ball, a pre-inauguration for President Donald Trump event, in Washington D.C., on January 17, 2025. His setlist included classics like “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang,” a cover of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” and Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds.” Did Snoop Perform for Trump as a sign of reconciliation, or was it purely professional? But as such, even though he performed energetically, the audience’s reaction seemed muted, as many of his attendees seemed to be disengaged.
Immediate Public Reaction
Fans were at first taken aback, and then later disappointed, by Snoop Dogg’s performance at Crypto Ball, a party celebrating President Trump’s inauguration. Many expressed their dismay, stating how they were betrayed and referred to the rapper as a ‘sellout’. Did Snoop Perform for Trump because of a business deal, or had his views changed? Snoop’s participation drew criticism from users on Reddit who said they were dismayed he had changed his tune about Trump.
Social Media Backlash
When Snoop Dogg performed at the Crypto Ball honoring President Trump’s inauguration, his social media following dropped by over 570,000 on Instagram — and nearly 18,000 on X. Did Snoop Perform for Trump knowing it would cost him followers, or did he underestimate the backlash? Fans who were angry by his participation in the event blame this backlash on his perceived deviation from earlier critical attitude toward Trump.
Criticism from Public Figures
Black radio host D.L. Hughley criticised Snoop Dogg for turning out to perform at Trump’s Crypto Ball, when he should have thought about the effect on the Black community. He cited a contradiction between Snoop’s past anti-Trump stance and the event. Ana Navarro said on The View that Snoop is a ‘trained seal’ in disappointing him for seeming to have changed his values. Did Snoop Perform for Trump in a way that undermined his previous activism, or was it just another gig?
Snoop Dogg’s Response to the Backlash
In response to Snoop Dogg’s critics, he spoke out on his Instagram Live session. Did Snoop Perform for Trump simply to prove a point, or was it a financial move? But he made a point of saying a message of love was what he would shoot back with: ‘For all the hate, I’m going to answer with love.’ Still a Black man, he reaffirmed his identity. Still 100 percent Black.” Snoop also verbally advised people to keep their own life in check, advising them not to pull each other down and to concentrate on living better.
Support from Fellow Artists
As a result of Snoop Dogg’s performance at President Trump’s inauguration, media personalities Charlamagne Tha God and Stephen A. Smith defended the rapper’s art freedom. Charlamagne called the backlash hypocritical, and called for criticism toward politicians, not artists when they take the stage to fulfill their professional commitments. According to Stephen A. Smith, entertainers should be able to perform without risk of political repercussions and be seen as separating politics from art. Did Snoop Perform for Trump purely as an entertainer, or did he have deeper reasons?
Media Coverage and Public Opinion
‘Snoop Dogg performs at Trump’s Crypto Ball,’ headlines were up in the air for media outlets. Fans and members of the general public criticized him. Fans and the public at large rebelled when NPR reported. After the performance, his social media following on the decline swiftly was discussed by the Economic Times. Did Snoop Perform for Trump knowing it would be controversial, or was he blindsided by the reaction? However, Snoop’s performance receives an extensive amount of media coverage without quantification of public sentiment towards the performance via surveys or public opinion polls.
Snoop Dogg’s performance at the Crypto Ball divides opinion between art, politics, and loyalty. Did Snoop Perform for Trump as a business decision, or was it a genuine shift in perspective? Those actions clash with past statements and arguments from public figures would be scrutinized. With fans divided on whether it was a betrayal or a normal business practice, it is lucky that someone could have been so clueless and that no one lost as a result.