Chris Brown Responds to Texas Lawmaker’s Apology
R&B artist Chris Brown has publicly criticized Texas state representative Venton Jones, who recently issued an apology for honoring him during a concert. Jones, a Democrat, had presented a congressional proclamation to Brown and fellow performer Usher while they were on stage at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
After facing backlash, Jones sought to distance himself from Brown due to the latter’s past conviction for assaulting his then-girlfriend, Rihanna, back in 2009.
“Keep that award,” Brown told Jones, who represents Texas’ 100th district in the state House, as reported on Tuesday.
In his criticism, Brown, 37, accused Jones of being disingenuous, suggesting the lawmaker was motivated by concerns about his voter base with elections approaching in November.
Brown clarified that he wasn’t looking for recognition. “Funny thing is y’all came to me with this! Not the other way around,” he shared on Instagram. “I was minding my damn business. My shows in Dallas were already sold out. I didn’t ask to be honored because I knew some stuff like this would happen.”
His harsh remarks followed Jones’ statement in which he expressed having been “reflective” after receiving criticism for honoring the star. In a letter shared online, Jones acknowledged the hurt his actions may have caused, particularly to women, stating that he wanted to embody accountability in his apology, highlighting the importance and strength of women in the community.
Jones also apologized to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, emphasizing that he never takes lightly how his decisions impact others.
With upcoming elections in mind, Jones mentioned he intended to celebrate Brown’s contributions to R&B but faced significant backlash due to the singer’s controversial history. During an interview with former CNN host Don Lemon, he reiterated that his intention was never to invoke trauma related to domestic violence.
Despite the conflict with Jones, Brown expressed gratitude toward Rep. Jasmine Crockett for her support and offered sincere apologies for any trouble she might encounter due to the situation. “I’m not political but I move off of frequency and energy and I’m so grateful. Once again, thank you,” wrote Brown online.
The decision to honor Brown has sparked discussions, given his well-documented legal troubles. Earlier this year, Brown pleaded guilty to charges related to a nightclub altercation, where he attacked a music producer with a tequila bottle. He is set to be sentenced on October 26, facing a maximum of three years in prison.
Brown’s past includes a 2013 misdemeanor assault charge linked to an incident outside a Washington D.C. hotel, along with a 2019 arrest in Paris on suspicion of rape, though he was released without charge.
