Did Snoop Dogg Get Blackmailed Into Performing for Trump?
By Michael Kelman Portney
Something’s not adding up. Snoop Dogg—legend, icon, master of chill vibes—performed at Trump’s Crypto Ball inauguration event, and the whole thing feels off. I’ve seen Snoop live multiple times, and one thing about the man is this: he always looks like he’s having the time of his life. Onstage, Snoop radiates pure joy, the kind of charisma that makes the crowd feel like they’re partying in his backyard.
But not this time.
In the video of his performance at the Crypto Ball, he looks anything but happy. He’s stiff. Detached. Going through the motions like someone who’d rather be anywhere else. It’s like watching a hostage video where instead of blinking Morse code, he’s rapping “Gin and Juice.” And the question is: why?
How Do You Square This Circle?
Let’s not forget: Snoop Dogg has said some things about Donald Trump. He’s dragged the guy publicly, mocked him in music videos, and called him out for his racist dog-whistling. And yet, here he is, performing for the very man he’s criticized. How does someone square that circle?
There are only so many explanations, and none of them look good:
He Did It for the Check: Maybe the money was just too good to pass up. But does Snoop, who’s made millions from music, endorsements, and everything else, really need that Trump money? Doubtful.
It Was a PR Play Gone Wrong: Maybe Snoop thought showing up would soften some of his critics or expand his audience. But if that’s the case, whoever advised him on this deserves to be fired. The backlash to his appearance has been swift, and it’s clear this move has hurt his public image more than it’s helped.
He Was Forced Into It: This is the angle that makes me pause. Because what if there’s more to this story?
Could This Be Jay-Z or Diddy-Related?
Here’s where the speculation gets messy, but bear with me: Snoop Dogg has deep ties to the music industry’s power brokers, including Jay-Z and Diddy. What if this wasn’t about Trump at all? What if someone in his inner circle—or even outside of it—put the screws to Snoop to make him perform?
Imagine the statement this makes: one of hip-hop’s biggest legends, a man who’s built a career on unapologetically being himself, reduced to shucking and jiving for a man he’s openly criticized. The optics are devastating. And if someone orchestrated this to make a point, it worked.
Could this have been a power move from someone with influence over Snoop’s career? Could it have been a subtle way of reminding him who’s really in charge? I hate to speculate, but the pieces don’t fit unless there’s more to the story.
What Does This Do to Snoop’s Credibility?
Here’s the harsh reality: Snoop’s performance at the Crypto Ball is a PR disaster. His fans are confused. His critics are gleefully piling on. And for good reason—how do you reconcile the man who roasted Trump with the man who just rapped for him?
The fallout is real. Snoop’s credibility has taken a hit, and unless there’s a damn good explanation, it’s hard to see how he recovers from this without some long-term damage.
But What If There’s More to This?
What if Snoop didn’t have a choice? What if this wasn’t about money or PR but something deeper, darker, and more coercive? The idea of a legend like Snoop being forced to perform against his will is chilling, but it’s not impossible. Power dynamics in the entertainment industry are messy, and leverage comes in many forms.
Maybe Snoop was put in a position where saying no wasn’t an option. Maybe this was less about him endorsing Trump and more about someone else flexing their power to send a message.
Whatever the case, one thing is clear: the Snoop we saw at the Crypto Ball wasn’t the Snoop we know and love. He wasn’t the laid-back, joyful performer who’s always in his element. He looked like someone who didn’t want to be there. And that alone should make us question what really went down.
Final Thoughts
This performance raises more questions than answers, and until Snoop speaks out, all we can do is speculate. But one thing’s for sure: something about this doesn’t sit right. Whether it was money, pressure, or something else entirely, Snoop’s appearance at the Crypto Ball feels like a moment of forced submission—an act that goes against everything he’s stood for.
If there’s more to this story, I hope we find out. Because the Snoop Dogg we’ve come to admire wouldn’t be there willingly. And if he was forced to shuck and jive for Trump, then we need to start asking: Who made him do it, and why?
