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DNC 2020: Jennifer Hudson wins hearts, but she won't have forgotten how Trump helped her family in 2008

Following a personal tragedy, Hudson and some of her family members were staying at the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago, and the POTUS had taken care of their expenses

After Billie Eilish enthralled everyone at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on August 19 night with her performance, it was Grammy award-winner Jennifer Hudson’s turn to engage the audience with her soulful performance. At the close of the day’s event, she performed Sam Cooke's ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’. Hudson was dressed in a peach-colored floor-length gown and was accompanied by two pianists and a saxophonist for her virtual performance at Harold Washington Cultural Center in Chicago.

Even though she is performing at the DNC, more than a decade ago current President Donald Trump had lent a supportive hand to her. According to a Metro report, the singer-actress was in the middle of a personal tragedy in October 2008. Her mother Darnell, brother Jason and seven-year-old nephew, Julian, were allegedly shot and killed by her sister Julia’s estranged husband, William Balfour, at their Chicago home. The report states that in 2012, after a trial, Balfour was convicted on three life sentences without the possibility of parole.

A November 2008 report in Today.com states, Hudson and some of her family members were staying at the Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago, and the POTUS had taken care of their expenses. The report quotes Trump as telling People magazine, “They are safe. She’s a great girl and we’re protecting them well.” As per the report, Hudson barely left the hotel and the Today.com report had quoted a source informing E!Online that, “She is still in shock. She hasn’t gone out much at all and has a lot of security around her.”

The Guardian, in a 2019 story, stated that during a 2012 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Hudson speaking about her loss had said, “Who do I grieve for first? Who do I start with?” Speaking to The Guardian about the trauma, she further stated, “Thank God. I think I attribute that first to God, next to [the fact that] when you experience trauma, it comes and goes. It’s always there. But it’s a matter of how you deal with it.” After a few years of the tragedy, Hudson founded The Julian D King Foundation as a tribute to her nephew, whom she describes as "strong and very smart" in the same interview.
 
 Writer Ryan James Girdusky tweeted about the connection between the singer and POTUS. He said, "Jennifer Hudson may be singing at the #DemConvention but when her family was brutally murdered in the streets of Chicago, it was @realDonaldTrump who reached out and allowed the singer and her family to stay at his hotel while they mourned."

But many did not agree with him saying it doesn't matter what he did in the past. One user wrote: "Doesn't matter. She's not voting for Trump. Just because he had a moment of niceness means nothing. Even the Devil did nice deeds for people."

Another stated, "So bc a did a decent thing in the past we’re supposed to be ok with him not doing his job now & protect the constitution, country, us, our health, soldiers. He should’ve stayed the businessman (cough,cough) and out of our lives and DEMOCRACY.."

Another commented, "You trumpers just love to distract with matters not related to the moment. My God what is wrong with you folks?"

Another opined, "He did a nice thing so she owes him her vote? Against her beliefs? We don’t help people to get something in return. That isn’t help. There’s a word for that."

However, there were a few who thought she should have remembered what Trump had done for her. One critic said, "When Jennifer Hudson ‘s family was killed, Trump flew her entire family on his jet & took them into Trump Tower rent free for months all expenses & food paid for! She will never acknowledge that because she is a coward & the media will never report on this b/c they are corrupt."

Another stated, "WAIT!!!!! Is Jennifer Hudson signing on the DNC crap???? Trump hid her and paid her rent when her family was executed."

On the other hand, Hudson received a lot of praise for her performance. One fan wrote: "Got caught up on the musical performances from the DNC. I don’t know which was more fun to experience? John Legend & Jennifer Hudson’s singing or the sign language interpreters’ performances. Bravo!"

Another wrote: "Crying to a Jennifer Hudson performance was not on my agenda tonight but lorddddd I’m happy it happened... wow chills #DemConvention #DemocraticConvention."

One user said, "The rich talent, diversity, spirit & deep soul of the Democratic Party makes me proud to be a Democrat. This is simply gorgeous by Jennifer Hudson. And, so far, the #DemocraticConvention has been superb under very adverse conditions. Great viewing!!"