TLC's Chilli Responds to MAGA Donation Allegations
Chilli Addresses Political Donation Controversy
Rozonda Thomas, popularly known as Chilli from the music group TLC, has refuted claims connecting her to the "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement following reports of her political donations linked to Donald Trump's 2024 campaign. According to records from the Federal Election Commission, Thomas contributed over $1,000 to various Republican fundraising entities associated with Trump. These contributions included payments to WinRed, a Republican fundraising platform, the Trump National Committee joint fundraising committee, and Never Surrender Inc., a Trump-affiliated organization.
Additionally, the singer faced backlash after posting a video on social media that endorsed a conspiracy theory regarding Michelle Obama. These theories, often referred to as "transvestigations," are prevalent in certain far-right online circles. In a video statement released on Saturday, Thomas clarified that the post was shared by mistake. "First and foremost, I hold Michelle Obama in the highest regard and would never intend to disrespect her or any woman," she stated. She explained that she only learned about the repost after receiving numerous calls and messages from friends.
Thomas expressed that she might have inadvertently pressed the repost button while navigating the platform. "I'm not very tech-savvy... I was scrolling, and my thumb must have hit the repost button. I genuinely had no idea this had occurred until I started receiving calls," she remarked. Regarding her political donations, Thomas mentioned that she believed they were meant for charitable purposes. "I didn’t read the fine print," she admitted, adding that she thought the funds would aid military veterans and combat human trafficking.
A representative later informed Entertainment Weekly that there were a total of 17 donations made as part of ongoing contributions established over time. They emphasized that Thomas "has always acted with heart, compassion, and a sincere desire to give back" and believed the donations were aimed at causes she is passionate about. The spokesperson also dismissed assertions that the singer endorses Trump or MAGA-related policies, stating, "Chilli has made it clear in her personal statement that she does not align with MAGA ideology or support any divisive policies." They further noted that her career has consistently demonstrated a commitment to empowering women and using her platform for positive change.