Jussie Smollett Responds To 50 Cent Troll With Snarky Reply
Written by b87fm on 06/29/2026
50 Cent couldn’t resist taking another shot at his longtime rival when the opportunity presented itself at Harlem Pride this past weekend.
The rapper’s latest jab came as Pride Month wound down on June 27-28, with celebrations reaching their peak across New York City and beyond. Smollett’s return to performing after years away from the spotlight became the perfect target for 50 Cent’s social media commentary, reigniting a feud that traces back to the competitive days of television’s “Power” versus “Empire” era.
The comeback performance itself marked a significant moment for Smollett, who took the stage at the “17 Shades of Pride” celebration on West Harlem’s 12th Avenue waterfront.
Yet within hours, 50 Cent posted footage of the performance with a caption that read, “See I told you POWER was the s—, No you want to watch Empire. Now look this is all your fault. LOL.”
The message was unmistakable, channeling years of competitive tension between the two television franchises that once battled for viewership dominance.
Smollett’s camp responded with measured restraint, according to Entertainment Weekly.
His publicist Pamela Sharp issued a statement that simply read, “We hope he had a happy Pride.”
The response demonstrated a stark contrast to the aggressive tone 50 Cent had adopted, choosing grace over confrontation during what should have been a celebratory moment for the LGBTQ community.
This wasn’t the first time 50 Cent had targeted Smollett publicly.
Back in 2019, the rapper had previously mocked the actor for referring to himself as the “gay Tupac,” establishing a pattern of criticism that extended beyond simple television rivalry.
The timing of this latest exchange, coming as Pride Month celebrations concluded, added another layer to what many viewed as an unnecessary distraction from the month’s intended message of community and acceptance.
Smollett’s journey back to public performance came after years of navigating legal complexities and personal challenges.
His comeback efforts have included appearances on competition shows and documentary projects that explored his story from multiple angles.
The Harlem Pride performance represented a deliberate step forward, yet 50 Cent’s commentary threatened to overshadow what should have been a triumphant return to the stage.
The rapper’s decision to weaponize the “Power” versus “Empire” rivalry felt particularly tone-deaf given the context of Pride Month’s closing weekend.
As reported by Fox News, the exchange sparked broader conversations about whether such public feuds belonged in spaces dedicated to LGBTQ celebration and solidarity.
Smollett’s measured response ultimately allowed him to maintain the moral high ground while 50 Cent’s commentary lingered as a reminder of unresolved tensions from television’s golden age of drama.
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