Rapper T.I. is famously outspoken on social issues, but when it comes to his political leanings, he’s kept things quiet—until now.

Conservative commentator Candace Owens recently called him out, claiming that T.I. is actually a conservative behind closed doors, even if he won’t admit it in public.

This revelation harks back to the heated 2019 Revolt Summit, where T.I. and Candace Owens went head-to-head in a fiery debate about Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.

The exchange was tense, with T.I. bringing his Atlanta energy and Candace countering with her trademark confidence. The moment went viral, spawning countless memes and discussions across Black Twitter.

Fast forward to May 2025: Candace Owens appeared on the Jason Lee Show, where she aired new details about her backstage interactions with T.I. According to her, before they took the stage at the summit, T.I. confided that he actually agreed with many of her conservative views but couldn’t publicly support Trump.

She claims T.I. told her, “I just can’t get behind Trump,” despite sharing similar values. Candace went further, labeling T.I. a “fraud” for allegedly performing for the culture while secretly sipping “conservative Kool-Aid” when the cameras aren’t rolling.

Adding another twist, Candace revealed that it was Kanye West who introduced her to T.I., making for a truly unexpected political triangle. She didn’t hold back, accusing T.I. of playing both sides to protect his brand.

This isn’t the first time a celebrity has been accused of flip-flopping on political or personal beliefs.

The article points out that Kanye West himself has made dramatic shifts—from championing Black Lives Matter to wearing “White Lives Matter” shirts with Candace Owens, and from making controversial comments about slavery to running for president.

50 Cent has also changed his public stances, at one point endorsing Trump for the tax breaks before backtracking. Jada Pinkett Smith, Tyrese Gibson, and Nicki Minaj are also listed as celebrities whose public personas seem to shift with the wind, whether it’s about relationships, family drama, or political views.

The article’s commentary suggests that T.I. wouldn’t be the first wealthy celebrity to lean conservative, especially as financial success leads many to rethink their political priorities—often in favor of protecting their wealth.

It’s pointed out that many in the entertainment industry quietly support conservative values for business reasons, even if they keep those views private to avoid backlash from fans or the broader culture.

Ultimately, the piece concludes that this kind of “double life” is common among celebrities who want to maintain their image while also looking after their financial interests.

The tension between public persona and private beliefs is nothing new, and as long as the wealthy elite benefit from the system, these political tightropes will continue.

So, is T.I. really a secret conservative, or just doing what he needs to survive in the spotlight? The debate continues, but one thing’s for sure: celebrity flip-flopping keeps the public talking—and guessing about what’s real.