TLC's Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas Apologizes for 'Mistakenly' Donating to Trump Campaign Amid Backlash Over Alleged MAGA Ties
TLC’s Chilli finds herself at the center of controversy as backlash mounts over her alleged ties to the MAGA movement. The “No Scrubs” singer reportedly made donations to Donald Trump’s re-election campaign and retweeted disparaging remarks about Michelle Obama, igniting a firestorm of criticism.
Chilli insists these actions were unintentional, claiming she does not support Trump. However, the intensity of fan reactions has been overwhelming. “She’s taking this all very seriously, and this shouldn’t overshadow a legacy that includes the empowerment of black women,” a source close to her revealed. “She’s not that person.”
“She really isn’t MAGA. She voted for President Obama twice. There’s no MAGA community around her. She views MAGA as [the Jan. 6th insurrectionists],” the source continued, emphasizing her disassociation from the movement.
Last week, Chilli faced backlash after it was revealed she had shared a conspiracy theory about the former First Lady. Mortified by the incident, she issued a statement expressing her respect for the Obamas and denouncing the MAGA community.
“This has affected her quite dramatically, and she has been praying with her prayer group every day,” the source added, highlighting the emotional toll of the situation.
Public figures and social media influencers, including DL Hughley and Jemele Hill, have expressed skepticism regarding her claims. Some critics suggested that her attempts to clarify her stance were merely efforts to protect TLC’s upcoming tour with Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue, who are also facing their own challenges.
Chilli’s response appears to have backfired, as online investigators have uncovered her connections to various MAGA-associated individuals and organizations linked to Trump. She attempted to explain her donations, stating, “I didn’t read the fine print. I thought I was supporting causes against human trafficking and for veterans.”
“Her association was based upon conservative values... She doesn’t believe in hate. Her message was honest and authentic. She is not feeling well about any of this,” said the source, noting that Chilli lacks technological savvy and does not own a laptop.
Another insider expressed belief in Chilli’s statement but criticized her for willful ignorance. “I’m not shocked [she was unaware],” they remarked.
Meanwhile, music industry insiders are raising concerns about slow ticket sales for the tour in major markets like New York, speculating that the MAGA association could negatively impact box office performance.
“The timing couldn’t be worse. Look at what’s going on in the world – even MAGA people are pissed off at MAGA,” one insider commented.
Despite sluggish sales in NYC, reports indicate over 150,000 tickets have already been sold, with sellouts in six markets, including Los Angeles.
A representative for Chilli and TLC has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the situation.
