Nelly also spoke about his experience as a child on a military base in Texas, praising his family members who have served in the U.S. armed forces. “If these people can give [their] life for the office, Nelly can perform,” he said. “It is an honor for me to perform for the president of the United States, regardless of who is in office.”

Carrie Underwood, Snoop Dogg and Nelly have faced backlash for agreeing to perform at Donald Trump ’s inauguration party and related events. Underwood, 41, will sing America the Beautiful at the bash on Monday night and said last week that she feels “honored” to be part of a “historic event” at the US Capitol.