Ice Cube has been catching some heat from the internet this week after a picture of him with politician Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former Cleveland mayor Dennis Kucinich went viral. When social media users took this as an endorsement for the controversial Kennedy, who intends to run for president in 2024, Ice Cube clapped back at everyone who came at him on Twitter in a series of July 12 tweets. 

Kennedy Jr. posted the photo of him, the former mayor, and Ice Cube on Monday, July 10. Son of the late Robert F. Kennedy Sr. and the nephew of former president John F. Kennedy wrote, “@Dennis_Kucinich and I spent a wonderful evening with one of our country’s most influential and outspoken civil rights leaders @icecube!” 

The photo featured the three of them smiling and hugging. Users online quickly assumed that Cube was endorsing Kennedy Jr.’s presidential campaign, and the 54-year-old rapper promptly denied the speculations. He tweeted, “For all the simple-minded short bus people out there, A picture is not an endorsement, dummy. Now get your a** over to bungalow 51 and STFU.” 

His tweet followed a series of fans expressing their disappointment with Ice Cube’s political stances in recent years, calling him a “sellout,” “crazy,” and accusing him of siding with the authorities after his history in NWA. Others called him out for how insensitive his tweet was.

Cube decided against taking the criticism lying down and started viciously replying to tweets to defend himself. 

In the midst of all the naysayers, the Los Angeles rapper’s fellow musician Chuck D. stood up for him. He wrote, “Know this fact, icecube has gone into every one of these ‘industries’ many of the masses worship… on HIS own rule and as his OWN MAN. A game that’s twisted many into demise. Not him. Know that. Seen the same dude since the day I met him. He KNOWS who he is. Know who YOU are.” 

Cube thanked the Public Enemy member for sticking with him.