Jewel Defends Appearance at Trump Inauguration Event

Jewel has spoken out against the backlash she received for performing at an event during Donald Trump’s inauguration. The singer expressed that she aims to be a "ray of light in this world."

On January 20, Jewel made a surprise appearance at the Make America Healthy Again Ball, an event honoring Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was Trump's controversial pick for the Department of Health due to his views on vaccines.

During her performance, she sang 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow.' This choice led some fans to question whether her participation was a sign of support for Trump.

In response, Jewel took to Instagram to clarify her intentions. She emphasized that her presence at the event was an opportunity to raise awareness about the ongoing mental health crisis in the country.

“As many of you know, I am a mental health advocate,” she noted. “Throughout the past 20 years, I have learned that mental health issues affect everyone, regardless of their political views. I even reached out to the previous administration and discussed the mental health crisis with the surgeon general. The statistics are quite dire.”

Jewel explained her belief that waiting for complete agreement before engaging in activism is not practical. “If I waited until I completely aligned with those willing to help, I would never take action,” she shared. “It's crucial to get involved even when the situation is less than ideal. We need to engage, and we cannot afford to wait for another four years.”

She acknowledged that her comments could have seemed overly simplistic. “Half of our country feels hopeful, and I respect that. Meanwhile, the other half feels disenfranchised and scared, and that is unacceptable.”

Jewel also addressed Trump's stance on gender recognition, stressing the importance of continuing the fight for understanding. “None of us can afford to stop fighting. I strongly believe that change comes through relationship, not isolation. We need to engage in tough conversations and work through our differences.”

Concluding her message, Jewel said, “I aspire to be a ray of light in this world, and I strive to bring light into your lives. In dark times, we need to cultivate light. So, I will keep trying each day, counting on all of you to do the same.”

Jewel is not alone in facing criticism for performing at Trump-related events. Other artists, such as Soulja Boy and Nelly, have also defended their choices to participate in events surrounding the inauguration. In addition, figures like Snoop Dogg and Billy Ray Cyrus have made headlines due to their involvement in the inauguration celebrations.

Among the attendees at the inauguration was Elon Musk, who drew attention for a controversial gesture that some compared to a Nazi salute. Musk dismissed the comparison, calling it “tired” and a “dirty trick.”

Jewel, Trump, activism