Chris Brown is firing back at Texas State Representative Venton Jones after the lawmaker apologized for helping honor the singer during his recent Arlington concert.
Brown took issue with Jones publicly walking back the recognition after the presentation sparked backlash, telling the Texas politician to keep the honor and accusing him of changing his position because of political pressure.
The controversy began September 12 at AT&T Stadium, where Brown and Usher were recognized for their contributions to music and entertainment. U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and Jones participated in the onstage presentation, with the recognition involving the Congressional Record.
Jones later addressed the backlash during an appearance on Don Lemon’s show.
The Texas lawmaker apologized to Black women, women and people who have experienced domestic violence, saying he did not intend for the recognition to “stoke the traumas” connected to Brown’s history.
Brown was convicted in 2009 in connection with the assault of Rihanna, a fact that became central to criticism of the recognition. Brown also pleaded guilty in 2026 to an affray charge stemming from a 2023 nightclub incident in London.
After Jones’ apology, Brown responded on Instagram.
“Keep that award,” Brown wrote in one response.
He later criticized Jones for what he characterized as “tap dancing” and suggested the lawmaker was apologizing because he did not want to lose voters or support. That characterization was Brown’s own claim, not an independently established explanation for Jones’ decision.
Brown also stressed that he had not requested the recognition.
“Funny thing is… yall came to me with this! Not the other way around,” he wrote, adding that he had been “minding my damn business” and that his Dallas shows were already sold out.
Brown then made his position on the recognition clear, telling the lawmakers to leave him alone and let him focus on the fans who paid to see him.
The fallout has left the original celebration of Brown and Usher’s musical careers overshadowed by the debate surrounding Brown’s past and Jones’ subsequent apology. Crockett was also involved in the presentation and has faced criticism over the recognition, while Brown separately expressed gratitude toward her.
