Sexyy Red has responded to criticism of her recent live shows that saw her parody Donald Trump‘s infamous first presidential campaign.
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Last weekend, the St. Louis rapper performed at The Roots Picnic in Philadelphia, curated by Questlove. During a set that included viral hits ‘Get It Sexyy, ‘Pound Town’, ‘SkeeYee’ and more, her stage production featured a huge “Make America Sexyy Again” hat on stage. Red has used this stage design since performing at Rolling Loud California back in March.
Her performance caused backlash as many thought the “Make America Sexyy Again” hat was her sympathising with Trump and endorsing his “Make America Great Again” campaign from 2016.
One X/Twitter user said they “can no longer support” Red. Another wrote: “Where was the tweet that said Sexyy Red would start rolling out that she’s a MAGA girl because you were spot on.”
X/Twitter user deecdubz chimed in, saying: “[It’s] actually embarrassing [that] people [are] defending Sexyy Red doing that maga hat shit at a Black music festival because it said ‘sexy’ and not ‘great’. Y’all are the children that were left behind!”
A Sexyy Red fan called the naysayers hypocrites, writing: “So Sexyy Red can push hoe culture seven days a week to young black girls, but you can no longer support her [because] she has a red hat on stage that says ‘Make America Sexy Again’ mocking MAGA [and because] y’all so brainwashed by the media. This is where you draw the line? NASTY WORK. LOL.”
If this is real, I’m afraid that I can no longer support https://t.co/R5vhvubtf6
— Moaning Myrtle (@TheJohnJohnShow) June 3, 2024
Where was the tweet that said Sexy Red would start rolling out that she’s a maga girl, because you were spot on
I swear I saw that tweet last week lol and here we are
— Fire Lord Azula (@BigBettyDidi1) June 3, 2024
actually embarrassing people defending sexy red doing that maga hat shit at a black music festival because it said “sexy” and not “great”
yall are the children that were left behind!!! pic.twitter.com/JUXbQ92AyR
— Blue Ivy’s Backup Dancer (@deecdubz) June 3, 2024
So Sexy Red can push hoe culture 7 days a week to young black girls , but you can no longer support her bc she has a red hat on stage that says “Make America Sexy Again” mocking MAGA && bc y’all so brain washed by the media…this is where you draw the line????? NASTY WORK lol pic.twitter.com/Ia3voBL8y0
— Sir Zacharias Da Last Jedi (@sirzachariasss) June 3, 2024
Red then took to X/Twitter to respond to the backlash and issue a disclaimer: “It’s Sexyy Red [for] President [American flag emoji] I’m my own candidate. I’m not endorsing anybody, period. [Kiss emoji].”
It’s Sexyy Red 4 President I’m my own candidate I’m not endorsing anybody period
— Sexyy Red (@SexyyRed314_) June 3, 2024
QuestLove’s choice to include Red on the Roots Picnic line-up was heavily criticised at first, but the iconic musician defended his choice in a message to naysayers.
“There is always that one [act] on the show everyone hates because it serves as a reminder the hip-hop THEY like is from 30 years ago,” he wrote on Instagram. “I mean I get it, but look: we gotta round and balance the day out. There are other stages [and] podcasts and events to see.”
He added that “Roots Picnic is well rounded and that’s why it works”.
The ‘Sexyy Red For President’ campaign was inspired by the song of the same name from her 2023 major label debut ‘Hood’s Hottest Princess’ mixtape. Additionally, it also helped promote her latest LP ‘In Sexyy We Trust’ – with the name and imagery for the record echoing the same satirical tone.
Back in October, Red revealed that she had an affinity for Trump while being interviewed by comedian Theo Von for his This Past Weekend podcast.
“I like Trump,” she said. “Yeah, they support him in the hood. At first, I don’t think people was fucking with him. They thought he was racist, saying little shit against women.
“But once he started getting Black people out of jail and giving people that free money. Aww baby, we love Trump. We need him back in office. We need him back because, baby, them cheques. Them stimulus cheques. Trump, we miss you.”
this young lady went on Theo Von’s podcast & said out of her own mouth she supports Trump & apparently “the hood loves him”.
she literally only wears American flag couture. she has a MAGA inspired set design at her concert & yall are still in confusion….what’s not clicking ? pic.twitter.com/KZ0IBSK3hY
— baby j. (@jaytovah_) June 3, 2024
She also thought Trump was “just bold”, “funny” and that “we need people like him”.
Trump’s first presidential campaign was controversial due to his inflammatory statements about immigrants, Muslims, women, and people with disabilities, among others. Also, there were many accusations against the 45th president – including sexual misconduct and financial fraud.
The business mogul was recently found guilty of 34 felony counts for falsifying business records to hide hush-money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, and will be sentenced on July 11. Trump has said he will appeal the decision.
In other news, Sexyy Red made her WWE debut on NXT and will be the first celebrity host of NXT: Battleground this weekend (June 9).
The post Sexyy Red responds to backlash from Donald Trump after MAGA hat comparisons at Roots Picnic appeared first on NME.
