TLC’s Chilli is addressing backlash after reports of donations tied to Donald Trump and a resurfaced post involving Michelle Obama, firmly denying any affiliation with MAGA and clarifying what she says were misunderstandings.
Chilli spoke out directly to fans as the controversy gained traction online.
The singer, born Rozonda Thomas, responded on Instagram after a viral report claimed she donated to Republican fundraising groups during the 2024 election cycle. According to reports, one of the contributions included $210.60 to WinRed, a major GOP fundraising platform. The revelation sparked criticism from fans who questioned her political stance.
In her statement, Chilli said she does not support the policies associated with the MAGA movement. She explained that the donations were made without fully reviewing the details, saying she believed she was contributing to causes related to human trafficking prevention and support for military veterans. She noted that those issues are personally important to her, citing her father’s status as a veteran and her long-standing concern for children.
Chilli also addressed a separate issue involving a repost about Michelle Obama that circulated online. She said she did not intentionally share the content and only became aware of it after receiving calls and messages alerting her to the situation. In a video message, she explained that she is not particularly familiar with social media functions and may have accidentally tapped the repost button while scrolling.
She emphasized that she holds respect and admiration for Michelle Obama and would not intentionally post anything negative about her or any woman. The singer said she removed the content once she became aware of it and acknowledged the situation as a learning experience.
The recent backlash follows earlier criticism Chilli faced in 2017 after comments she made during an interview with Channel 4 News. At the time, she said “all lives matter” while discussing police brutality and broader issues of injustice, explaining that she believed harm against any group was wrong and that better screening should be in place for those in positions of authority.
As the current situation unfolded, Chilli asked for grace from her supporters while she continues to navigate the response and reflect on the experience.
