In a recent interview with The Breakfast Club, rap icon 50 cent revealed that he was mumbling for a while and snubbed a $3 million offer to perform at a rally for former President Donald Trump. He says this decision was based on an urge to stay out of politics because it would divide him.
“I’m afraid of politics. I do not like it. When you do get involved in it, no matter how you feel, someone passionately disagrees with you,”
he said, underscoring his caution around taking public political stances that could alienate parts of his audience.
50 Cent- real name Curtis Jackson-is a long-time befuddler on matters of politics. Jackson has not endorsed any candidate unlike other celebrities who have weighed their positions in the 2024 election. Though he has often spoken highly of Trump on issues such as tax policy, he has also repeatedly attacked him. Such a nuanced approach is exactly in line with 50 Cent’s ambivalence about moving too closely toward any figure or party.
He spoke more about why he stays away from politics altogether, saying there are things he will not stand to debate, such as politics or religion. All this time, the voice he ushered in his mind was meant to keep his opinions off the public sphere to not raise any dust. His approach reflects a desire to protect his brand and avoid the backlash often accompanying high-profile political endorsements. 50 Cent mostly keeps away from politics, yet his past is riddled with popular cases in which he spoke his mind on the main issues.
Back when Trump was only a candidate seeking office in 2016, 50 Cent tweeted against him:
“Let us pray, lord please don’t let Trump into office.”. We’ll spin out of control.”
In 2020, however, when Biden’s tax plan was being revealed, Jackson made a discourse when he briefly supported Trump based on the tax implications for high earners. He later cleaned that up, saying that it had more to do with tax policies than support for Trump. Additionally, Jackson has expressed support for adding complexity to his political history by supporting the Occupy Movement.
Rather than weighing in on political debates, Jackson focuses on his burgeoning music and entertainment career. He’s working on a new album with longtime collaborator Dr. Dre, a surefire sign that he’s returning to the music world.
In addition to the music, he is working on an 8 Mile TV series to bring Eminem’s story all over again to a whole new generation while continuing his production work through G-Unit Films and Television, the studio behind hit shows such as Power. The priority for Jackson was his creative field, not taking part in any political action, as he said before: his energy was to be spent
“better on my career rather than divisive public debates.”.
