Nelly Responds to Criticism Over Performing at Donald Trump's Inauguration Event: 'I'm Not Political'

After being slammed by fans for agreeing to perform at the Liberty Ball following the inauguration of Donald Trump, Nelly spoke out about why he made the decision—claiming it wasn't political in nature.

“I’m not here to take up for Trump, I’m not here to take up for Republicans. I’m not here to take up for Democrats,” the rapper explained on a Jan. 18 episode of the Willie D. Live podcast.

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“Performing for somebody and voting for somebody is two different things. Endorsing people is two different things," he added later.

Nelly, who was born on a military base, compared his performance to the military's civic duty.

“I’m not doing this for money, I’m doing this because it’s an honor," he said. "I respect the office. It doesn’t matter who is in office. The same way that our men and women, our brothers and sisters who protect this country, have to go to war and have to put their life on the line for whoever in office. So if they can put their life on the line for whoever in office, I can damn sure perform.”

Related: Carrie Underwood’s Performance Off to False Start at Donald Trump’s Inauguration

“I’m not a politician man, you didn’t see me out there on the campaign. You didn’t see me out there saying you should vote for this candidate,” Nelly insisted. “But I’m honored to be out there performing for the Office, for the President of the United States.”

Nelly made it clear that he was not "defending anything that President Trump, candidate Trump, realtor Trump did...no. You got the right to be pissed if it affected you; you got the right to be angry if it affected you. But as of today, he's the President of the United States. And I'm performing for the office that I was taught to respect out of people that gave their lives for this country that was in the military."

Next: Donald Trump's Inauguration: Who's Performing, How to Watch and More