Renowned rapper Snoop Dogg has made a surprising about-face, expressing newfound admiration for former President Donald Trump. The hip-hop icon, whose real name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., recently opened up in an interview with The Sunday Times, revealing that despite remaining uncertain about his 2024 election endorsement, he holds a deep-seated respect and affection for the ex-president.

In a departure from his previous criticisms, Snoop Dogg admitted, “I have nothing but love and respect for Donald Trump.” He emphasized that Trump had never wronged him and, in fact, had done “only great things” for the rapper. Notably, Snoop Dogg lauded Trump’s decision to pardon Michael Harris, a co-founder of Death Row records and a pivotal figure in the rapper’s early career. Harris, convicted of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, saw his 25-to-life sentence commuted by Trump in 2021, following Snoop Dogg’s fervent plea for clemency.

This unexpected praise stands in stark contrast to Snoop Dogg’s previous critiques of Trump. In a 2016 interview with Rolling Stone, the rapper exclaimed, “I’ve never seen ………….. like Trump. How could we have someone as reckless as him running our country?” Similarly, in 2018, Snoop Dogg heavily criticized both Trump and fellow rapper Kanye West, a staunch Trump supporter.

The rapper’s recent shift in sentiment adds an intriguing layer to the evolving political landscape, where celebrity endorsements play a significant role. While Snoop Dogg has not officially thrown his support behind Trump in the 2024 election, a trend of celebrities endorsing the former president has emerged, including notable figures like Roseanne Barr, Dean Cain, and Kodak Black.

In the larger political arena, Trump has amassed an impressive 227 noteworthy endorsements from key figures such as House representatives, senators, and state governors, far surpassing his major GOP rival, Nikki Haley. The latest RealClearPolitics polling average positions Trump as the indisputable frontrunner for the Republican nomination, commanding a substantial 70.3 percent support compared to Haley’s 12.6 percent.

Snoop Dogg’s unexpected change of heart adds a compelling twist to the intersection of entertainment and politics, showcasing the nuanced and ever-shifting dynamics between celebrities and political figures in the eyes of the public.