Teddy Riley has responded to a whirlwind of online criticism after showing support for disgraced former President Donald Trump.
On Friday (June 10), the pioneering New Jack Swing icon appeared to pledge his allegiance to Trump on Instagram, in response to the former president’s latest plea of innocence relating to his recent federal indictment.
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“I AM AN INNOCENT MAN. THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS TOTALLY CORRUPT,” wrote Trump alongside a video. “THIS ELECTION INTERFERENCE & A CONTINUATION OF THE GREATEST WITCH HUNT OF ALL TIME. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Responding to the post, Teddy Riley hit the comments section with a series of strong arm emojis. Immediately, fans chimed in with their discord. “Seriously Teddy? You are on here agreeing with this dude? [face palm emoji],” one user wrote.
According to The Shade Room, Riley’s reason for showing love to Trump is because he owes the controversial politician and businessman a solid for releasing his older brother Lou Hobbs — who was serving a double life sentence — from prison.
The Harlem native went on to claim that the 46th President of the United States has taught him “how to be a free man of this country.” Further, the “No Diggity” crooner claimed “[Trump] can do something amazing for us, because he did it for Africa while he was in office,” while maintaining that everyone has their own beliefs, and this is solely what he believes.
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Riley isn’t the first Black celebrity to throw their support behind Trump. In January 2021, Kodak Black became a free man following a last-minute presidential pardon from Donald Trump. The 23-year-old Florida native was in the middle of a 46-month sentence after being convicted of a federal weapons charge in 2019.
“I Want To Thank The President @RealDonaldTrump For His Commitment To Justice Reform And Shortening My Sentence,” he wrote. “I Also Want To Thank Everyone For Their Support And Love. It Means More Than You Will Ever Know. I Want To Continue Giving Back, Learning And Growing. @DanScavino,” Kodak tweeted at the time.
Meanwhile, Lil Wayne who pleaded guilty to a federal weapons charge in December 2020 and was facing up to 10 years in prison, was also granted a “get out of jail free card” shortly before the former POTUS left the Oval Office.
Though, this may have come as no surprise as days prior to the presidential election, Lil Wayne joined fellow rappers, like 50 Cent and Lil Pump, in expressing his support for Trump while posing for a photo with the then Republican candidate.
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“Just had a great meeting with @realdonaldtrump @potus. Besides what he’s done so far with criminal reform, the platinum plan is going to give the community real ownership. He listened to what we had to say today and assured he will and can get it done,” he tweeted alongside a photo of himself with Trump; capping it off with a hang loose emoji.
