Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, a member of the iconic music group TLC, has publicly distanced herself from claims of supporting the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement following the emergence of her 2024 campaign donations to organisations linked to Donald Trump. In a clarifying Instagram post shared on March 28, Chilli addressed her fans directly to explain her position and the misunderstanding surrounding her financial contributions.
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In her post, the 55-year-old singer made it clear, stating, “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 went on to express regret over what she described as a common mistake, admitting that she “did not read the fine print” of the donation details, mistakenly believing she was donating to charities focused on human trafficking prevention and veteran support.
Chilli explained that both issues are very close to her heart, especially as she has a father who is a veteran and a longstanding passion for protecting children. “I have learned a valuable lesson and ask for grace as I navigate this. Love, Chilli,” she concluded.
Reports indicate that Chilli’s donations totalled nearly £900 and were made through WinRed, a payment processor predominantly used for Republican campaign donations, as well as to the Trump National Committee and a group named Never Surrender Inc., which has direct ties to Trump. The donation records feature an address linked to the singer in Stone Mountain, Georgia, further fueling speculation.
In her Instagram message, Chilli also addressed a separate incident that had circulated online involving her accidental repost of a conspiracy theory about former First Lady Michelle Obama. She clarified that she had not intended to share the post, saying, “I had no clue that this repost had happened until I started getting phone calls and text messages from everybody.”
The musician candidly admitted her lack of technical savvy, explaining that she mistakenly clicked on the repost button while scrolling through her app. “So I’m looking for this repost button, and I see that…. all of these buttons are very, very close to each other, and clearly, I was scrolling, and my thumb hit the repost button,” she shared in a video as part of her response.
Chilli reiterated her respect for Michelle Obama, stating, “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.” Her efforts to clarify the situation stemmed from the concerns of her fans and followers, who reached out to her after the postings.
In a response to media outlet PEOPLE, a spokesperson for Chilli described the situation as “unfortunate.” They affirmed that the singer’s intentions had been mischaracterised and that she has always approached her philanthropic efforts with compassion and a desire to make a positive impact.
“The 17 donations currently being discussed were made over time, with many set up as automatic recurring contributions. From her perspective, these donations were directed toward causes she deeply believes in, specifically organisations focused on protecting children and supporting veterans,” the representative elaborated.
The statement further emphasised that Chilli does not identify with the MAGA ideology and does not support policies that drive division or harm. “Her life and career have reflected the opposite, a commitment to uplifting women, leading with empathy, and using her voice for positive impact,” the spokesperson concluded.
Chilli’s clarifications come at a time when public figures face intense scrutiny over political affiliations and the implications of their actions. As the singer continues her journey of navigating the complexities of contemporary social media, she has expressed a commitment to positive advocacy and community support, seeking to align her contributions with causes that resonate with her beliefs.