What's The Big Deal? Jim Jones Defends Rappers Visiting White House To "Respect" Donald Trump

BY Gabriel Bras Nevares 1152 Views
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Jim Jones Defends Rappers White House Respect Donald Trump Hip Hop News
Singer Jim Jones is shown performing on stage during a "live" concert appearance on June 26, 2008. (Photo by John Atashian/Getty Images)
Jim Jones thinks Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, Boosie Badazz, and other rappers supporting Donald Trump's White House made the right call.

As hip-hop fans continue to bash rappers for associating with the White House following the presidential victory of Donald Trump, Jim Jones thinks that they're just showing respect. If you weren't already aware, various rap artists have come under fire for attending executive office events and inauguration festivities despite the convicted politician's disregard for the Black community. Nevertheless, the Dipset MC doesn't understand what the fuss is about. He recently spoke with TMZ on Thursday (February 20) in New York City and explained why he sympathizes with their participation. The Harlem native comes from a time in which folks respected the United States' chief executive regardless of his character.

"So what do they expect us to do, disrespect the president because that person didn’t win?" Jim Jones said of rappers supporting Donald Trump. "No. He’s still the president of the United States, so we still have to show that much respect to the president of the United States. That’s how I feel about it. And I’m not political and s**t like that. I didn’t vote for anybody, you heard? If I was to get an invitation, no matter who was in the office, nine times out of 10, I think I’ma pop out to go to the White House."

Rappers Who "Supported" Donald Trump

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President Donald Trump disembarks from Air Force One at Daytona International Airport Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, before getting into his motorcade and heading to the Daytona International Speedway for the Daytona 500. © Nadia Zomorodian/News-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Of course, many would argue that the remaining time out of 10 would be reserved for a figure as controversial and dangerous as Donald Trump. The backlash against him extends far beyond the Black community, as his administration's war against DEI programs (diversity, equity, and inclusion) target the well-being and legacy of countless groups. But as Jim Jones notes, rappers still maintained their respect. Despite these DEI rollbacks, Boosie Badazz, Rod Wave, and Kodak Black attended a White House Black History Month event on Thursday (February 20).

Last month, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, and Soulja Boy performed at the first-ever Crypto Ball that celebrated Donald Trump's return to the White House. Not only that, but Nelly performed at Trump's inauguration itself days later. Some of these rappers, like Jim Jones, never get political. Others have supported the bigot for years now. But they all have to reckon with the disconnect between electoral respect and community solidarity.

About The Author
Gabriel Bras Nevares is a staff writer for HotNewHipHop. He joined HNHH while completing his B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication at The George Washington University in the summer of 2022. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gabriel treasures the crossover between his native reggaetón and hip-hop news coverage, such as his review for Bad Bunny’s hometown concert in 2024. But more specifically, he digs for the deeper side of hip-hop conversations, whether that’s the “death” of the genre in 2023, the lyrical and parasocial intricacies of the Kendrick Lamar and Drake battle, or the many moving parts of the Young Thug and YSL RICO case. Beyond engaging and breaking news coverage, Gabriel makes the most out of his concert obsessions, reviewing and recapping festivals like Rolling Loud Miami and Camp Flog Gnaw. He’s also developed a strong editorial voice through album reviews, think-pieces, and interviews with some of the genre’s brightest upstarts and most enduring obscured gems like Homeboy Sandman, Bktherula, Bas, and Devin Malik.

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