Chilli of TLC Reportedly Donated to Donald Trump’s 2024 Campaign
Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas is facing mounting criticism after reports revealed financial contributions tied to Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign and Republican political groups.
The TLC singer came under scrutiny after longtime fans began questioning her political affiliations, with some accusing her of quietly aligning with MAGA figures. The backlash intensified following a Media Take Out report that highlighted her campaign donations and social media activity.
FEC Filings Detail Contributions Throughout 2024
According to Federal Election Commission filings, a donor listed as Rozonda Thomas of Stone Mountain, Georgia, made multiple contributions totaling just under $1,000 between April and November 2024.
Records reviewed by The Independent show $210.60 donated to WinRed, $340.60 to the Trump National Committee JFC and $486.54 to Never Surrender Inc., all groups linked to Trump and Republican fundraising efforts.
The financial records quickly circulated online, prompting renewed debate among fans about celebrities and political transparency.
Social Media Activity Adds Fuel to Controversy
The controversy expanded beyond donations after social media users uncovered a screenshot from Thomas’ Instagram account. The post, which has since been deleted, shared a widely debunked claim about former First Lady Michelle Obama.
That discovery led users to examine Thomas’ social media activity more closely. Screenshots showed that she follows several prominent conservative figures and outlets, including Donald Trump Jr., Newsmax, and actor Dean Cain.
On Instagram, users also noted her follows of Florida political figure Byron Donalds and other conservative content creators, further fueling speculation about her political leanings.
Celebrity Political Support Not New, But Scrutiny Remains
Thomas would not be the first high profile entertainer to publicly or privately support Donald Trump. The issue has gained renewed attention as more celebrities face scrutiny over political donations and affiliations.
Nicki Minaj, for example, has openly expressed support for Trump in recent months and has appeared at multiple events tied to him. During a recent White House Black History Month event, Trump publicly acknowledged her support.
Still, the reaction to Chilli has been particularly sharp, with some fans expressing disappointment given TLC’s long standing cultural influence.
Chilli Responds: “I Am Not MAGA”
As backlash grew, Thomas publicly addressed the controversy, pushing back on claims about her political alignment.
“I WANT TO BE CLEAR: I am not MAGA and do not support any of the many policies that are causing great harm to the American people,” she wrote in an Instagram post on March 28. “I made a mistake too many make: I did not read the fine print. I thought I was supporting causes against human trafficking and for veterans.”
Thomas said those issues are personal to her, citing her father’s military service and her longstanding advocacy for children.
“I have learned a valuable lesson and ask for grace as I navigate this,” she added.
Singer Says Michelle Obama Post Was Accidental
Thomas also addressed the resurfaced post about Michelle Obama, calling it an unintended repost.
“I wanted to come on here to address a few things that are circulating on the internet that are very concerning to me,” she said in a video. “I have the utmost respect and admiration for Michelle Obama and I would never say or do anything that is disrespectful to her or to any woman.”
She explained that she was unaware the post had been shared and believes it happened accidentally while scrolling.
“I had no clue that this repost had happened until I started getting phone calls and text messages,” she said. “I’m not very computer savvy… clearly I was scrolling and I hit the repost button.”
The claim in the post, which suggested Obama registered as a male in Illinois in 1994, has been widely debunked.
The controversy comes as TLC continues its return to the spotlight. The group recently performed at the iHeartRadio Music Awards alongside Salt N Pepa and En Vogue.
TLC is also preparing to launch the It’s Iconic Tour, a 30 plus date run that begins August 15 in Franklin, Tennessee, and concludes October 11 in Concord, California.
