Black Celebs Who Backed Unexpected Political Candidates

The intersection of celebrity culture and politics often yields surprising results when public figures break from the expected voting patterns of their demographic or industry. While the entertainment world typically leans toward the Democratic Party, a number of prominent Black celebrities have made headlines by supporting Republicans or anti-establishment figures. These endorsements often spark intense debate regarding the diversity of political thought within the Black community. The following list highlights twenty stars who shocked fans and pundits alike by backing candidates that defied the conventional political narrative.

Amber Rose

The model and activist stunned her fanbase by delivering a speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention in support of Donald Trump. She previously organized the ‘SlutWalk’ protest and had been critical of the former president before completely reversing her stance. Rose stated that she did her own research and concluded that the media had misled her about his character and policies. Her speech focused on economic safety and her belief that Trump was the best choice for American families.

Snoop Dogg

This legendary West Coast rapper once released a music video depicting a mock assassination of a clown resembling Donald Trump. He completely changed his tune during the 2024 election cycle by declaring he had nothing but love and respect for the Republican candidate. The shift occurred largely because Trump pardoned Michael Harris who was a cofounder of Death Row Records. Snoop Dogg emphasized that he would not speak negatively about someone who had done something positive for his close circle.

50 Cent

The Queens rapper has frequently used his social media platforms to express frustration with tax rates proposed by Democratic leadership. He urged his followers to vote for Trump in 2020 after seeing the tax plan put forth by Joe Biden for high earners in New York. While he later retracted the explicit endorsement, he continued to speak favorably about the resilience Trump displayed during the 2024 campaign. His hit song ‘Many Men’ became an anthem for the Trump campaign after an assassination attempt on the former president.

Ice Cube

The N.W.A. icon faced significant backlash during the 2020 election when it was revealed he met with the Trump administration regarding his Contract with Black America. He argued that he was willing to work with whoever was in power to advance economic opportunities for Black citizens. Ice Cube criticized the Democrats for telling him to wait until after the election while the Trump team listened immediately. He maintained that his primary loyalty was to the progress of his community rather than a specific political party.

Lil Wayne

Fans were shocked when the rap superstar posted a photo of himself smiling alongside Donald Trump just days before the 2020 election. Lil Wayne praised the Platinum Plan and suggested that the administration would deliver real change for criminal justice reform. This endorsement came shortly before he received a presidential pardon for a federal weapons charge. He has since maintained his support and admiration for the business mogul turned politician.

Kanye West

The Chicago rapper and fashion mogul caused a media firestorm when he visited the Oval Office wearing a red MAGA hat. West described the energy of the hat as something that made him feel like Superman and praised Trump for his non-traditional approach to governance. He often spoke about the need for free thought and refused to be confined to the political expectations placed on Black celebrities. His support persisted through various controversies and his own independent run for the presidency.

Sexyy Red

The rising hip-hop star confused and surprised many listeners when she expressed her support for Donald Trump during a podcast interview. She cited the stimulus checks distributed during his presidency as a major reason for her endorsement. Sexyy Red also mentioned that many people in her neighborhood supported him because he was viewed as relatable and funny. She even incorporated the slogan Make America Sexyy Again into her merchandise and branding.

Kodak Black

This Florida rapper became a vocal supporter of Donald Trump after receiving a commutation for his federal prison sentence in early 2021. Kodak Black has since attended rallies and openly praised the former president for giving him a second chance at life. He has dismissed criticisms of Trump and focuses entirely on the personal loyalty he feels toward the man who freed him. His support highlights the impact of executive clemency on individual political allegiances.

Azealia Banks

Known for her outspoken and often controversial opinions, the Harlem rapper attended a Trump rally in Florida during the 2024 campaign. Banks has described the former president as an iconic figure and praised his sense of humor and resilience. She previously supported him in 2016 before briefly withdrawing her support and then returning to the fold. Her political commentary often critiques the Democratic Party establishment and what she views as their performative activism.

Waka Flocka Flame

The Atlanta rapper declared his support for Donald Trump in 2024 by stating he wanted what was best for his family and financial future. He told concertgoers to leave his show if they could not accept his political preference. Waka Flocka Flame dismissed accusations of racism against the former president and focused on economic stability as his voting priority. His endorsement reflected a growing trend of Black male artists prioritizing economic interests over social alignment.

Herschel Walker

The football legend leveraged his long friendship with Donald Trump to launch a campaign for the United States Senate in Georgia. Walker ran as a staunch conservative Republican and emphasized his desire to protect traditional American values. He received the full backing of the former president throughout a highly contentious and publicized race. His transition from sports hero to political candidate was marked by his unwavering loyalty to the MAGA movement.

Stacey Dash

The ‘Clueless’ actress effectively ended her mainstream Hollywood career when she endorsed Mitt Romney during the 2012 election. She later became a contributor for Fox News and continued to support conservative candidates including Donald Trump. Dash argued that the Democratic Party had taken the Black vote for granted for too long. Her pivot to conservatism made her a polarizing figure within the entertainment industry.

Isaiah Washington

The former ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ star became a prominent voice in the #WalkAway movement which encourages people to leave the Democratic Party. Washington criticized the party for failing to deliver on promises made to the Black community over decades. He publicly supported Donald Trump and hosted shows discussing conservative policies and self-reliance. His political activism focuses on breaking the monolithic voting patterns of African Americans.

Dennis Rodman

The eccentric basketball Hall of Famer developed a friendship with Donald Trump during his time on ‘The Celebrity Apprentice’. Rodman supported Trump’s presidential bids and praised him for his strength and negotiation skills. He notably became involved in international diplomacy by promoting talks between the Trump administration and North Korea. Rodman viewed their relationship as a personal bond that transcended standard political lines.

Mike Tyson

The heavyweight boxing champion endorsed Donald Trump early in the 2016 campaign and reiterated his support in 2024. Tyson explained that he remembered Trump promoting his fights when others in the media were attacking him. He stated that the country should be run like a business and believed his friend was the right man for the job. Tyson often dismissed racial controversies surrounding the former president by citing their personal history.

Jim Brown

The NFL greatest running back stunned many civil rights activists when he met with Donald Trump at Trump Tower shortly after the 2016 election. Brown stated that he admired the man for surviving a brutal campaign and winning against the odds. He expressed a desire to work with the administration to help inner-city communities through economic development programs. Brown maintained that sitting out was not an option and engagement was necessary for progress.

Colin Powell

The four-star general and lifelong Republican shocked his own party by endorsing Democrat Barack Obama in the final weeks of the 2008 election. Powell called Obama a transformational figure and criticized the negative tone of the John McCain campaign. This endorsement was unexpected because Powell had served at the highest levels of Republican administrations for decades. He prioritized the historical significance and temperament of the candidate over party loyalty.

Killer Mike

While supporting a Democrat is not unusual, the Run the Jewels rapper backed Bernie Sanders over the establishment choices of Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden. Killer Mike campaigned vigorously for the self-described democratic socialist and argued against the centrist policies of the mainstream Democratic Party. He refused to endorse Biden in 2020 and stated that Black voters should demand tangible deliverables for their support. His alignment with the progressive wing highlighted a fracture within the traditional liberal coalition.

Antonio Brown

The former NFL wide receiver joined the MAGA movement in 2024 and was seen registering voters at rallies in Pennsylvania. Antonio Brown praised Trump for his business acumen and his ability to command attention. He frequently wore hats and shirts emblazoned with campaign slogans while interacting with fans. Brown criticized the media treatment of the former president and related it to his own controversies in the sports world.

Lawrence Taylor

The New York Giants legend appeared at a massive rally in New Jersey to declare that he would never vote for a Democrat again. Taylor shook hands with Donald Trump and told the crowd that his life changed after meeting the businessman. He cited the economy and leadership strength as his primary reasons for switching parties. His appearance underscored the appeal the Republican candidate held for certain hyper-masculine sports figures.

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