Why Nick Cannon Claimed He Was ‘Too Broke to Vote’ During 2016 Election
Nick Cannon has stirred headlines with a new wave of outspoken political commentary in 2026. During a recent episode of his web series The Big Drive, Cannon emphasized that he doesn’t “subscribe” to Democrats or Republicans, echoing the idea that the system is fundamentally flawed. And he simultaneously declared, “I f*** with Trump,” while applauding the president’s leadership and policies. This isn’t the first time that Cannon has gotten political and made divisive political statements. Here’s what he previously said about being “too broke to vote” during the 2016 presidential election.
Nick Cannon previously said he’s ‘too broke to vote’ during the 2016 presidential election
Nick Cannon’s 2026 political statements are far from his first. During a 2016 interview with The Breakfast Club, he announced how he’s “too broke to vote” during the presidential election. He also created a spoken word piece of the same name. The Masked Singer host didn’t mean financially. Instead, he felt he lacked power and economic control. Cannon argued that voting for the next U.S. president doesn’t fix deeper structural inequality. Cannon echoed these ideas during an interview with Nicholas Ballasy in Washington, D.C.
“Everybody gets excited about the mindset, ‘Oh, you gotta vote, you gotta vote,'” Cannon said at the time. “But, do you really understand what you’re voting for, especially when it’s on the executive level? I’m a strong believer in making sure you embrace your community, and you start that process there, and educating yourself on what the policy is in your own community that affects you directly. But, I think a lot of times, we get caught up in election years when it comes to the pageantry of who the president is gonna be.”
Cannon noted that when he talked to people locally, he heard the sentiment of, “I’m not worried about voting. I’m worried about getting a job.” He understood that while many people disagreed with his “too broke to vote” idea, he said, “It created a conversation.”
“I just want people to educate themselves on the process and not get caught up in the fanfare or the popularity contest,” he continued.
Additionally, Cannon clarified that he’s certainly not against voting. “I want people to exercise their right, your God-given right, but know what you’re doing,” he continued.
‘The Masked Singer’ host says he backs President Donald Trump in 2026
In 2026, Nick Cannon sparked fresh controversy after sitting down with Amber Rose on his web series The Big Drive, where the conversation quickly turned political and unexpectedly pro-Donald Trump. During the candid exchange, Cannon, who has long claimed he doesn’t align with either party, agreed with Rose’s criticism of Democrats.
“Democrats don’t care about Black people, and they don’t care about people of color, and the Republicans do, and that’s the misconception,” Rose said.
“I agree with you 100%,” Cannon noted. “People don’t know that the Democrats are the party of the KKK. People don’t know that the Republicans are the party that freed the slaves.”
Cannon added that both he and Rose share “conservative views,” noting that both political parties are evil. “You just a little bit more outspoken than I am,” he continued. “And honestly, I don’t subscribe to either party. I rock with W. E. B. Du Bois, when he said there’s no such thing as two parties. It’s just one evil party with two different names.”
Cannon then praised Trump.
“We got the Gulf of America now,” the comedian continued. [Trump is] like the club. He’s charging a $5 million bottle service fee to get into the country. I f*** with Trump.”
Previously, Rose told Maxim in January 2025 that she was “canceled” for supporting Trump.
“Donald Trump and his supporters don’t care if you’re Black, white, gay, or straight. It’s all love. These are my people. This is where I belong,” she said. “… During the election, I was ‘canceled.’ Now? All the naysayers are quiet. They see he’s already changing our country for the better.”
