Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, a member of the iconic R&B group TLC, made a series of donations totaling $737.14 to political committees supporting Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) records. The donations, made between February and March of this year, raise questions about the political leanings of the artist, particularly given past controversies surrounding her public statements on racial justice issues.
The contributions, first reported by The Independent, were made from an individual identified as Rozonda Thomas residing in Stone Mountain, Georgia – an address publicly associated with the singer. The donations were split between three different entities: $210.60 to WinRed, the Republican Party’s primary online fundraising platform; $340.60 to the Trump National Committee Joint Fundraising Committee; and $486.54 to Never Surrender Inc., a political action committee (PAC) directly supporting Trump, as detailed by The Independent.
A History of Public Commentary
This isn’t the first time Thomas has faced public scrutiny regarding her views on sensitive social issues. In 2017, during an interview with Channel 4 News in the UK, Thomas sparked controversy when asked about the Black Lives Matter movement. Her response, “For me, all lives matter, you know what I mean?” drew criticism for seemingly diminishing the specific concerns of racial injustice faced by the Black community. The phrase “all lives matter” gained prominence as a counter-slogan to Black Lives Matter and has been widely criticized for undermining the movement’s focus on systemic racism and police brutality against Black individuals.
At the time, Thomas attempted to clarify her position, stating, “Because there is a time when different groups are targeted for different things. So I just think that what happened, even with the police brutality against these young Black boys and stuff like that — all of that kind of stuff is wrong. Even if it was a caucasian teen kid that this was happening to, it’s just not right.” She also suggested a need for more thorough background checks and mental health evaluations for law enforcement personnel.
Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, another member of TLC, interjected during the same interview, offering a contrasting perspective. “I don’t care about Donald Trump,” Watkins said. “I mean, God is my president. So I just feel sorry for people it affects, but I don’t care about him.”
TLC’s Legacy and Current Activity
TLC, formed in 1990 in Atlanta, Georgia, rose to prominence as one of the best-selling female groups of all time. Known for hits like “Waterfalls” and “No Scrubs,” the group’s lineup most famously included Thomas, Watkins, and the late Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes. Lopes tragically died in a car crash in Honduras in 2002 although volunteering at a children’s development center.
The group continues to perform and tour, recently appearing at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards alongside Salt-N-Pepa. They also recently released a cover of Weezer’s “No Scrubs,” which garnered attention online.
Seeking Comment and Understanding Motivations
Representatives for TLC have been contacted for comment regarding the donations. As of publication, a response has not been received. The motivations behind Thomas’s contributions remain unclear. Political donations are a matter of public record, but individuals are not required to disclose their reasoning for supporting specific candidates or committees.
The donations come as Trump continues to campaign for the presidency, facing a rematch with President Joe Biden in the November election. The financial support from public figures, even those with potentially conflicting past statements, underscores the complex and often unpredictable nature of political giving.
The FEC is scheduled to release its next campaign finance report on April 15, 2024, which will provide a more comprehensive overview of fundraising activity for all presidential candidates and related committees. Further details regarding individual contributions and PAC spending will be available at that time.
If you are feeling distressed about the current political climate, resources are available. You can contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, or call the National Alliance on Mental Illness Helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264).
This story will be updated as more information becomes available. Share your thoughts on this developing story in the comments below.
