Rap star 50 Cent is accused of fumbling the ball during his pre-Super Bowl party in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The mayor of the city aimed at the rapper over a party he hosted at the Albert Whitted Airport on Friday night as the coronavirus pandemic rages on.
Mayor Rick Kriseman slammed the rap star after photos surfaced of him performing without a mask, as well as images of people partying in the airport without proper face coverings.
This isn't how we should be celebrating the Super Bowl. It's not safe or smart. It's stupid. We're going to take a very close look at this, and it may end up costing someone a lot more than 50 cent. @TMZhttps://t.co/Vrvg8fTdBB
— Rick Kriseman (@Kriseman) February 6, 2021
“This isn’t how we should be celebrating the Super Bowl. It’s not safe or smart. It’s stupid. We’re going to take a very close look at this, and it may end up costing someone a lot more than 50 cent,” Mayor Rick Kriseman said.
According to Mayor Kriseman, the promoter of the event could face some serious fines for flagrantly violating the state’s mask rules.
Mayor Kriseman even said the company that managed the airport could come under investigation, but more details will be released next week according to the Tampa Bay Times.
50 is one of several celebrities in town for Super Bowl 55, where the Kansas City Chiefs will take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Mayor Kriseman’s comments didn’t go over well with locals, who blasted him for calling out 50 Cent, when Tampa and Saint Petersburg has become a “free for all,” as one resident put it.
“I have noticed when I am doing essential runs, more and more people without masks. Businesses do nothing. Gas station is now probably 70% maskless. They use to not let you in. Now it’s a free for all,” one commenter said.
“Y’all have been actively encouraging people to travel here to party for #SuperBowl, what do you expect to happen? Can’t have it both ways!” another person wrote, citing the Mayor’s own words encouraging out-of-towners to come to Super Bowl 55.
The Mayor ultimately oversees the airport so really he and the City hosted 50's night out pic.twitter.com/cOQL9sW78u
— Dsoronen (@Dsoronen1) February 6, 2021
https://twitter.com/bigdaddydunedin/status/1358143368728096769?s=20
https://twitter.com/avbleek/status/1358148060518449154?s=20
I am pretty sure there's much more pressing issues you could address for the tax payers Rick.
— Jack R (@JackR48919750) February 6, 2021
Ride down Central and around downtown Friday and Saturday night, the bars are packed, sidewalks in front of bars packed, are you afraid to address this or don't you care? Guess you're lame duck period is to encourage bars and restaurants not to care, I used to SUPPORT u, no more!
— RobertC Florida Democrat (@robbecfldem) February 7, 2021
Take a good look at the Super Bowl and fine those organizers as well. Fine the bars and outdoor eateries too. I drove five blocks down central St. Pete. and counted only five people that had a mask on. 50 cent didn't twist anyone's arm to get in there.
— Zsa Zsa Mop (@ZSATWEET) February 7, 2021
Beglad I don't live in your city cuz I sure as hell would not vote for you mayor based on these types of comments. Stop threatening private citizens with fines when city-sponsored events are doing the same thing in st. Pete and Tampa for the Super Bowl .
— Kevin's here!( Taylor's version) (@StevenS65397553) February 6, 2021
I agree that @50cent should have been more careful.. but what about Parc & Rec on 1st Ave south ?
— Ernesto Eduardo (@eedobarganes) February 6, 2021
They've been throwing raves and parties in that hangar all year @Kriseman
— ushmel (@ushmel) February 6, 2021
You use this or any event relating to the superbowl to institute another lockdown, I will file a class action lawsuit for reckless endangerment. YOU promoted this. I am not taking the grunt for your actions. https://t.co/hpvpGbkSlT
— M White (@MWhite0523) February 7, 2021
https://twitter.com/LKsham22/status/1358420236085641219?s=20
Not the first airplane hanger party …. you dropped the ball on fixing these back in December when they started pic.twitter.com/4t4VvY9EqQ
— Trevor (@stpetetrevor) February 6, 2021
If St. Pete wasn't prepared for the potential real world of Tampa Bay Super Bowl and it's randomness. Maybe it's advisors forget when and where we are in 2021. Embrace today.
— Sergio Jewell (@sergiojewell) February 7, 2021
Unfortunately, DeathSantis let him have this party…
— Alla (@AllaTRS) February 6, 2021
https://twitter.com/avbleek/status/1358137847904043010?s=20
Watch out! He's coming for ya, @50cent.
Who wants to bet that he milks 50's name to whine on national cable news for exposure? Anyone?
— Frank Craft ✌️ (@Frank_Craft) February 7, 2021