deadmau5 slams 3LAU for playing Trump’s Inauguration Ball: “You stood behind nazis and convicted felons”

Musicians like Snoop Dogg, Nelly, and Carrie Underwood have been facing backlash for performing at events tied to Donald Trump’s inauguration, and now electronic music giant deadmau5 has shared some words about fellow DJ (and noted crypto and NFT enthusiast) 3LAU‘s decision to perform at Trump’s Inauguration Ball. 3LAU posted the news of his performance on Instagram, and deadmau5 replied in a comment:

Here’s the best takeaway, not a single person in that entire dumbfuck administration has ever known who the fuck you were, cared about you, or even gives the remotest shit about you, and you certainly won’t be remembered by any of em. But everyone in this business will remember that you stood behind nazis and convicted felons who would further marginalize the very people who gave you a platform. What very little respect I had for you is gone. So glad you got some drink tickets out of the deal, enjoy them, you nepo pissbaby.

In a followup comment, he added, “Whats next @3lau ? A Jeffrey Epstein tribute show with bassnectar and datsik?”

3LAU responded to the backlash in a post on X, noting that he’s a “proud American” and “grateful to participate in our democracy.” His full statement reads:

As many of you know, I had the honor of performing at the @POTUS Inauguration Ball.

Since then, I’ve received backlash from several prominent members of the music community. While I anticipated some pushback, the intensity of the response has been far greater than I expected.

A matter of fact: I am a proud American. The freedoms we have in this country make it possible for me to pursue my passions—whether as a founder, a CEO, or a musician.

My pride should not be used as a vessel for other people’s anger. This is exactly the behavior that has divided us. I am unwavering in my decision to focus my music and my work on things that continue to push our country forward. Progress comes from working together, not against each other.

I believe firmly in both free speech and the acceleration of tech innovation. These principles have been integral to my identity. I also see crypto and blockchain technology as monumental forces essential to our future as a nation—forces that the previous administration opposed.

This administration favors many aspects of the vision I hold for our future; while no one’s values will ever fully align with those of any president or party, I stand by my choice.

And, for the record, I am grateful to participate in our democracy.

—

deadmau5 on fellow DJ 3LAU performing at Donald Trump’s Inauguration Ball pic.twitter.com/e9VVWOsTCC

— BrooklynVegan (@brooklynvegan) January 25, 2025

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A post shared by BLAU (@3lau)

As many of you know, I had the honor of performing at the @POTUS Inauguration Ball.

Since then, I’ve received backlash from several prominent members of the music community. While I anticipated some pushback, the intensity of the response has been far greater than I expected.

A… https://t.co/TsOa7xikSU

— BLAU (@3LAU) January 25, 2025