Deadmau5 slams 3LAU for bragging about DJing a Trump inauguration ball: “What very little respect I had for you is gone”Deadmau5 has slammed fellow DJ 3LAU for performing at one of President Donald Trump’s inauguration balls, stating that “what very little respect” he had for the musician has evaporated.
Deadmau5’s scathing critique came after 3LAU, real name Justin David Blau, shared an Instagram post about his performance at Trump’s Starlight Ball in Washington, DC, last week. Calling the experience “an honour” and an “achievement unlocked,” the 34-year-old’s words quickly drew the ire of fellow electronic musicians and fans in the comments section.
“5 days ago the POTUS team reached out cause they needed a DJ for inauguration afters,” Blau wrote in his post. “Playing Starlight Ball was not on my 2025 bingo card, but I mean wow, what an honour. I was so nervous, and only got to play for 30 minutes but holy ****.”

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In a pointed Instagram comment, deadmau5 blasted Blau for aligning with “Nazis and convicted felons who would further marginalise the very people who gave you a platform.”
He added, “Not a single person in that entire dumbfuck administration has ever known who the fuck you were, cared about you, or even gives the remotest shit about you, and you certainly won’t be remembered by any of ‘em. But everyone in this business will remember that you stood behind [them].”
“What very little respect I had for you is gone. So glad you got some drink tickets out of the deal. Enjoy them, you nepo pissbaby.”
In a follow-up comment, deadmau5 mocked, “What’s next 3LAU? A Jeffrey Epstein tribute show with Bassnectar and Datsik?”
Other DJs who have piled on the criticism include Finnish electronic producer Darude, Los Angeles based-artist J. Worra, and Ravenscoon, who described 3LAU’s decision as “wack and tone deaf”.
“This administration is against everything the dance music community stands for,” Ravenscoon wrote. “Electronic music is supposed to be a place that welcomes everyone regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation.”

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A post shared by BLAU (@3lau)

In response, 3LAU wrote on X that since playing the ball, “I’ve received backlash from several prominent members of the music community. While I anticipated some pushback, the intensity of the response has been far greater than I expected.”
“A matter of fact: I am a proud American,” he continues. “The freedoms we have in this country make it possible for me to pursue my passions—whether as a founder, a CEO, or a musician. My pride should not be used as a vessel for other people’s anger. This is exactly the behavior that has divided us. I am unwavering in my decision to focus my music and my work on things that continue to push our country forward. This might not always align with a single party, but progress comes from working together, not against each other.”
“This administration favours many aspects of the vision I hold for our future; while no one’s values will ever fully align with those of any president or party, I stand by my choice. And, for the record, I am grateful to participate in our democracy,” 3LAU concludes.

As many of you know, I had the honor of performing at the @POTUS Inauguration Ball.
Since then, I’ve received backlash from several prominent members of the music community. While I anticipated some pushback, the intensity of the response has been far greater than I expected.
A… https://t.co/TsOa7xikSU
— BLAU (@3LAU) January 25, 2025

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