Chilli from TLC Responds to Trump Donations: 'I Am Not MAGA'

TLC singer Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas faces backlash over campaign contributions and social media activity linked to Donald Trump and Republican groups.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 12:23am

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring stark black silhouettes and jagged geometric shapes in a high-contrast composition, conceptually representing the controversy surrounding Chilli's political donations and social media activity.The backlash over Chilli's political ties exposes the continued scrutiny and polarization around celebrity affiliations in the post-Trump era.Stone Mountain Today

Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas of the popular 90s R&B group TLC is facing intense criticism from fans after reports surfaced of her making financial contributions to Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and Republican political organizations. The controversy expanded as social media users uncovered posts and follows of conservative figures on her personal accounts. Chilli has since responded, stating she made a mistake in not reading the fine print and that she does not support Trump's policies, while also addressing a resurfaced post about Michelle Obama that she claims was an accidental repost.

Why it matters

The backlash against Chilli highlights the continued scrutiny and polarization around celebrity political affiliations, especially in the wake of the Trump presidency. As more high-profile entertainers face criticism for their political ties, the incident raises questions about transparency, personal beliefs, and the potential consequences for public figures who are perceived to be aligning with controversial figures or causes.

The details

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 to groups like WinRed, the Trump National Committee JFC, and Never Surrender Inc. - all of which are linked to Trump and Republican fundraising efforts. Screenshots of Chilli's social media activity also showed she follows several prominent conservative figures and outlets, including Donald Trump Jr., Newsmax, and actor Dean Cain, further fueling speculation about her political leanings.

  • In April 2024, Chilli made a $210.60 donation to WinRed.
  • Between April and November 2024, Chilli made a total of $1,000 in donations to various Trump-affiliated Republican groups.
  • On March 28, 2026, Chilli responded to the backlash on Instagram.

The players

Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas

A member of the popular 90s R&B group TLC who is facing backlash over political donations and social media activity linked to Donald Trump and Republican causes.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States whose 2024 presidential campaign and Republican fundraising efforts received donations from Chilli.

Michelle Obama

The former First Lady of the United States, who was the subject of a widely debunked social media post that Chilli claims she accidentally reposted.

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What they’re saying

“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. 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.”

— Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas, TLC Singer

“I wanted to come on here to address a few things that are circulating on the internet that are very concerning to me. 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.”

— Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas, TLC Singer

What’s next

Chilli has stated she is learning from this experience and asking for grace as she navigates the fallout. It remains to be seen if the controversy will have any lasting impact on her career or relationship with fans.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the continued scrutiny and polarization around celebrity political affiliations, especially in the wake of the Trump presidency. As more high-profile entertainers face criticism for their political ties, it raises questions about transparency, personal beliefs, and the potential consequences for public figures who are perceived to be aligning with controversial figures or causes.