Trump's Crypto Ball: Snoop Dogg's Participation Leaves Fans Furious, Top Crypto Execs Delighted

The Crypto Ball, an event held in Washington D.C. preceding Donald Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration, has sparked controversy and excitement in the cryptocurrency world. While the event was celebrated by top crypto executives, the participation of rapper Snoop Dogg has left many of his fans furious, accusing him of hypocrisy and cultural betrayal.

The Inaugural Crypto Ball, held at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, billed itself as a "celebratory setting intended to honor... America’s first ‘crypto president,’ President elect Donald J. Trump, his incoming cabinet and administration." The event was hosted by former PayPal COO David Sacks and featured performances by Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, and Soulja Boy.



Snoop Dogg's decision to perform at the Crypto Ball has been met with outrage from fans, who have expressed their disappointment and anger on social media. The Shade Room posted a video of Snoop's performance, and the comments section was filled with reactions like "This is culturally embarrassing and disrespectful asf" and "Not a check in the world worth selling my soul to the Devil..." Former CNN anchor Don Lemon covered the performance on his live stream, Lemon LIVE at 5, questioning whether Snoop and other Black hip hop artists are "sellouts [or] grifters who only care about a dollar?" Actress Amanda Seales criticized Snoop on social media, posting a mashup of his performance with a years-old video from Snoop's Instagram questioning which artist was going to be the first to perform for Trump.

Snoop Dogg's past criticism of Trump, including his 2016 video smoking to YG's and Nipsey Hussle's anti-Trump protest song, "FDT," and his 2017 video for his "Nightfall Remix" of BADBADNOTGOOD's "Lavender," in which he shoots a toy gun at a Donald Trump impersonator, has led many fans to question his authenticity and integrity. Snoop has yet to comment on the performance on social media, instead reposting an Instagram story of him and Ross at the event. However, the SoCal native has been mobilizing his fans to donate and distribute needed items for those who experienced loss due to the L.A. wildfires.

The Crypto Ball event reflects the growing influence of cryptocurrency in politics and the economy, as industry leaders seek to shape federal digital asset policies and gain support from the incoming administration. The event served as a platform for industry leaders to connect with Trump's team and shape federal digital asset policies. Reports suggest that the new administration's crypto advisory council could include around 20 CEOs and founders with strong connections to Trump. The event also served as a celebration of expected pro-crypto regulations under the Trump administration, with the industry contributing substantial funds to the inaugural committee.

In conclusion, Snoop Dogg's participation in the Crypto Ball has sparked controversy and outrage among his fans, who accuse him of hypocrisy and cultural betrayal. Meanwhile, top crypto executives have celebrated the event as a reflection of the growing influence of cryptocurrency in politics and the economy. As the industry seeks to shape federal digital asset policies and gain support from the incoming administration, the Crypto Ball serves as a testament to the power and allure of cryptocurrency in popular culture and its intersection with politics.