As Donald Trump and Republicans continue to deal with the fallout from the racist rally it held Sunday at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, word is now emerging about an appearance that didn’t happen that likely would have caused even more controversy. Rapper 50 Cent says he turned down a multi-million dollar offer to play at the event.
Turning down $3 million to appear at Trump event
50 Cent made the revelation during an appearance on The Breakfast Club. The rapper alleged to the show’s hosts that he turned down a request to perform at Sunday’s event even though the Trump campaign offered him $3 million to do so. 50 also seemingly confirmed that he had turned down an invitation to perform at the Republican National Convention earlier this year. He was rumored at the time to have been invited to perform his song “Many Men (Wish Death Upon Me)”, a song inspired by 50 being shot which Trump supporters started associating with the GOP candidate after he survived an assassination attempt over the summer.
‘I’m afraid of politics,’ 50 explained
50 claims that he turned down these GOP offers because “I’m afraid of politics.” He elaborated to the Breakfast Club audience that “I do not like no part of politics. It’s because when you do get involved in it, no matter how you feel, someone passionately disagrees with you.” His interview was then cut short as the hosts explained that they had to take a call from Vice President Kamala Harris and asked 50 to say hello, prompting the rapper to fake outrage that they were trying to involve him in politics again.
Yall look at this. So it’s true that #DonaldTrump and his campaign have been paying black rappers and entertainers to endorse him. They tried to pay 50 cent 3 million. I wonder how much Amber Rose & Waka Flocka got paid to sell their souls. #HarrisWalz2004 #Polymarket #Harris2024 pic.twitter.com/37FHUQRFXi
— 👩🎓👩💻 (@JayRockStarSun) October 29, 2024
Past controversy for 50, present uproar for Trump
50 Cent is no stranger to political controversy. His appearance in Washington, D.C. earlier this year drew criticism when he posed with Republicans like Lauren Boebert. An appearance by the rapper at Sunday’s even likely would have added to the substantial controversy that the rally produced. The Trump campaign seems to be regretting its Sunday event, which has drawn condemnation from across the political spectrum for the racist and offensive comments made during the event. Most notably, an insult against Puerto Rico by a conservative comedian continues to have fallout as pop stars like Bad Bunny and Jennifer Lopez have endorsed Harris and Puerto Ricans in swing states like Pennsylvania are reportedly angered and motivated to vote due to the comments. With Election Day one week away, we will soon see how this most recent controversy, as well as the various moves by the campaigns in general, will ultimately impact the presidential race. But one person who does not want his impact seen is 50 Cent, who is opting out of involving himself in politics.