Inauguration Day 2025: Donald Trump and JD Vance sworn in: NPR

This story first appeared in NPR live blog on Donald Trump’s 2025 inaugurationwhere you can find more coverage and context from the day.

Rapper Snoop Dogg took critical for performing at one of the events leading up to President Trump’s inauguration this weekend.

He, along with rappers Soulja Boy and Rick Ross, performed at the Crypto Ball – an event honoring Trump, billing him “America’s first ‘crypto president’.”

Social media users were quick to point that Snoop Dogg previously criticized anyone performing for President Trump in 2017. “I’m waiting. Fuck you,” Snoop Dogg said before Trump’s first inaugurationcalling out anyone willing to perform “Uncle Toms.”

Snoop Dogg has yet to respond to the criticism. But Soulja Boy, the rapper behind the 2007 hit “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” responded to online criticism. saying “they bought me a bag”.

One of the people defending the rappers is MP Ilhan Omar, who posted on: “The artists at least know that they are there to perform and get paid, but these politicians who spoke for 4 years and who are now ready to be there and applaud for him, it is against them that they should be angry. They lied to you and your criticism/anger should rightly be directed at them.”

Nelly is another rapper scheduled to perform at an inaugural event today. He defended his decision in an interview with Willie D, saying that was not the case. a partisan decision. “I’m here to play for the office,” he said.

Country star Carrie Underwood also had to defend her scheduled appearance at today’s inauguration. “I am honored to answer this call at a time when we must all come together in a spirit of unity and look to the future,” she said in a statement. statement provided to NPR.