Vanilla Ice wants his fans to know that he is not affiliated with long-shot Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mark McCloskey after a political ad featuring the artist’s name and photograph was promoted by the campaign on Thursday.
The advertisement, shared on the campaign’s website and social media accounts, references an upcoming performance by Vanilla Ice and the Ying Yang Twins at the Ozark Empire Fair and encourages visitors to “join team McCloskey.” In it, McCloskey is pictured beside the ‘90s-era star above a banner that reads: “Featuring Vanilla Ice and Ying Yang Twins.”
In a statement Thursday evening, managers for Vanilla Ice said the rapper did not give approval for his show to be coupled with the political ad.
“Vanilla Ice is not taking sides on political issues and is working to support his family,” his managers said. “Please make this known.”
The campaign ad appeared to suggest, at least, that McCloskey and Vanilla Ice would be at the fair in Springfield, Missouri, on the same day. But McCloskey is scheduled to make his appearance on Sunday, two days after the show.
Reached by phone on Thursday afternoon, McCloskey said there was no relationship between his campaign and Vanilla Ice or the Ying Yang Twins. He said there was no intention to suggest that was the case, either.
“(We’re) merely saying that we’re going to be there at a time when they’re going to be there. No relationship whatsoever,” McCloskey said.
McCloskey and his wife Patricia McCloskey first rose to right-wing fame after they were photographed waving around firearms from the front porch of their palatial St. Louis residence during a police brutality protest in June 2020. McCloskey was charged with misdemeanor assault and pleaded guilty but was later pardoned by Republican Gov. Mike Parson.
McCloskey is competing in the Aug. 2 primary election as Republican voters will select a candidate for the November general to run for retiring U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt’s seat. Recent polls show McCloskey trailing Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, former Gov. Eric Greitens, Rep. Vicky Hartzler and Rep. Billy Long.
The Star’s Kacen Bayless and Daniel Derochers contributed to this report.
