TLC’s Chilli has stated that she is “not MAGA” after reports emerged that she had donated to Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.
Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas is one third of the hugely successful ‘90s Atlanta girl group and in Federal Election Commission filings that have been uncovered by The Independent and MeidasTouch, it has been revealed that Thomas donated to Trump’s campaign, as well as the National Republican Senatorial Committee and Ted Cruz’s 2024 election campaign.
The bulk of her donations went to Trump’s run for US President two years ago and in total the payments total just under $900 (£675).
In response to the reports, Thomas has written on Instagram: “I WANT TO BE CLEAR: I am not MAGA and do not support any of the many policies that are causing great harm to the American people. I made a mistake too many make: I did not read the fine print. I thought I was supporting causes against human trafficking and for veterans.”
She continued: “Two things I care deeply about as my dad is a veteran and everyone knows I love children. I have learned a valuable lesson and ask for grace as I navigate this.”
Thomas has also shared a separate video message after she caused controversy for sharing an Instagram post that claimed Michelle Obama was transgender. She said she was “not being very computer savvy” in resharing the post, and added that she had the “utmost respect and admiration for Michelle Obama” and “would never say or do anything that is disrespectful to her or to any woman”.
Other musicians have been much less enthusiastic about Trump in recent weeks, with Bruce Springsteen performing at an anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ protest yesterday (March 28), where he played his new song ‘Streets Of Minneapolis’, inspired by the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by ICE agents earlier this year.
Jack White has been another to repeatedly share his anger at the president, recently criticising the Treasury Department’s plans to put Trump’s signature on all new US paper currency.
As for TLC, they are set to be the subject of the upcoming jukebox musical Crazysexycool, which is set to premiere in Washington DC on June 12.