Former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have come to the defense of country music singer Jason Aldean after he faced accusations of releasing a “pro-lynching” music video. Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to express support for Aldean, stating that he is a “fantastic guy” and urging others to support him as well. DeSantis also showed his support by retweeting a statement from Aldean in response to the accusations.
Earlier this week, Aldean released a statement defending the song he released in May titled “Try That In A Small Town”. He explained that the song reflects the sense of community he experienced while growing up, where neighbors took care of each other regardless of their differences. Aldean emphasized that there is no reference to race in the lyrics of the song and that the accompanying video uses real news footage of protests, riots, and confrontations between civilians and law enforcement.
The accusations against Aldean focused on the fact that the music video features the Maury County Courthouse, where an 18-year-old named Henry Choate was lynched in 1927. As a result of the criticism, Country Music Television (CMT) pulled the music video. However, Aldean’s song shot to the top spot on iTunes shortly after.
Aldean responded to the accusations in a statement, calling them “meritless and dangerous.” He emphasized that the song and video do not promote or advocate for lynching or violence in any way. Many of his supporters pointed out that Aldean was present at the Route 91 Festival in Las Vegas in 2017, where a mass shooting took place, as evidence that he is not advocating violence.
Aldean, who has always identified as conservative, began openly discussing politics during the 2016 presidential election cycle. While he did not disclose his choice for president, he spoke about Donald Trump’s connection with the heartland of America and how he resonated with those who felt overlooked. His songs “My Kinda Party” and “Flyover States” were seen as anthems for rural and Middle America.
Following the events of the 2020 presidential elections, Aldean felt compelled to speak out more about his political views. He expressed concerns for the future and the impact it will have on his children. Despite potential backlash for his political beliefs, he prioritized the need to address the bigger issues that future generations face.
In conclusion, former President Trump and Gov. DeSantis have shown their support for Jason Aldean amid accusations of releasing a “pro-lynching” music video. Aldean has defended his song and video, emphasizing that they do not promote violence or advocate for lynching. With an openly conservative stance, Aldean began discussing his political views during the 2016 election cycle and has felt compelled to speak out more following the 2020 elections. He recognizes the importance of addressing the challenges facing future generations.
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