It’s been a complicated year for Nelly—partly because the heat wasn’t just coming from the stage.

The ‘Hot in Herre’ rapper, who’s been making headlines lately alongside his wife Ashanti for their new Peacock reality series We Belong Together, is finally addressing the lingering controversy over his decision to perform at Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration earlier this year. The backlash? Swift, sharp, and relentless. But according to Nelly, the public got the story twisted.

In a recent sit-down with Hot 97, the St. Louis native didn’t shy away when host Ebro labeled him “pro-Trump.” Instead, Nelly leaned all the way in—ready to correct the record.

“Where did you get pro-Donald Trump from?” he fired back. “It’s ‘great’ how people spin narratives to fit whatever they’re against, instead of giving a brother credit for what he actually did and said.”

Let’s rewind: When Nelly accepted the invitation to perform at the inauguration, he called it “an honor.” That statement alone lit a fuse online, with many accusing him of aligning with Trump politically. But as he clarified during the interview, the performance wasn’t about politics—it was about respecting the institution, not the individual.

“I never endorsed any president,” Nelly said plainly. “It was truly an honor because no other president ever asked me to do anything; it doesn’t mean I agree with how that president does things.”

Nelly’s frustration wasn’t just about the criticism—it was also about the selective outrage. He reminded listeners that just a year prior, he’d performed at an event with Vice President Kamala Harris. That moment? Barely made a ripple.

“Just the year before, I did an event with VP Kamala Harris—nobody ever brought it up,” he said, labeling the Trump backlash as little more than “click bait.”

While the media was in a frenzy, Nelly continued his year relatively unbothered, focusing on new ventures, including his growing interest in Country music and his headline-grabbing relationship with Ashanti. But even as the storm cooled, the stigma lingered—something he’s determined to shake off now.

“I’ve NEVER endorsed any president,” he repeated, as if saying it louder for the people in the back.

The interview was less about damage control and more about clarity. For Nelly, this wasn’t about defending a political stance—it was about reclaiming the nuance so often lost in internet hot takes.

And honestly? Whether he’s redefining romance on reality TV or redefining respect in the political sphere, Nelly’s doing what he’s always done—moving to his own beat.