Russell Simmons Writes Open Letter to ‘Real Friend’ Donald Trump

Russell Simmons has penned an open letter to Donald Trump, imploring the new president-elect to drop his campaign of hatred.

The hip-hop impresario has known Trump for nearly 30 years, and describes the real estate mogul as a “real friend.” However, he voiced his concern for Trump’s time in office in a letter published on The Huffington Post.

Simmons campaigned against his friend during the election, but has said he will work for, and with, the country’s new president.

“You’ve never been a part of the Republican Party or the Democratic Party, as neither of them ever fully embraced you. You have been an independent thinker and successful businessman, who has spoken your own truth during your entire life,” the Def Jam co-founder wrote on Friday.

“While I disagree with many of the things that you have said during your campaign and many of your policies that you have proposed, you will still be our president, and I am willing to work for and with you.”

The 59-year-old asked Trump to “seek honest council” with his friends in New York, rather than his inner circle of advisers who led his controversial campaign.

“Those who have surrounded you during the campaign have offered some very dangerous policies that would hurt people and the planet, which I want to believe you still care about,” Simmons added. “The far right wing and the alt-right were your most staunch supporters, but those people are not your friends, and you know that.

“You have the chance to be the first true independent president this country has ever seen, but your radical beliefs you ran on during your campaign must be addressed.”

Simmons promised to keep an open mind for a Trump presidency, but also vowed to take action if the new president-elect makes “a dangerous move.”

“Remember that if you make a dangerous move, the people will be at your front door – I am sure you heard the 100,000 people who showed up last night in front of your New York City apartment,” he wrote. “The numbers will only grow and they will be in front of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue every night for four years. And I will be there with them.”

Simmons was previously vocal on his dislike of his friend Trump’s rhetoric during the campaign.