In the latest display of GOP solidarity, Nikki Haley, a Republican presidential hopeful, played Jason Aldean’s much-debated new single, “Try That in a Small Town,” during her recent town hall event.
The attendees in the packed room in Greenville, South Carolina, were treated to the country star’s song ahead of Haley’s speech on Thursday.
“I love music,” Haley affirmed on Twitter, posting a video clip from the event. “Tonight in Greenville we added a new song to the playlist: Jason Aldean’s ‘Try That in a Small Town.’”
Haley’s show of support for Aldean’s controversial single placed her in the company of other high-profile Republicans.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, and former President Donald Trump have also publicly backed Aldean, despite the surrounding discord.
The single, with its unmistakable challenge against increasing lawlessness and riots in the United States, has become a rallying cry for some conservatives.
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Breitbart News offered an account of the music video, which currently has garnered over 346,000 views on YouTube.
Aldean performs in front of a courthouse, while other images – including flag burning, aggressive protests, and looting – intermingle with peaceful scenes such as a child playing hopscotch or the uplifting sight of the American flag. Aldean’s direct call-out of criminals and rioters in the lyrics of the song, however, has drawn criticism.
Critics have denounced both the song and video, accusing it of being racist and endorsing gun violence.
CMT, a mainstream country music channel, has removed the music video from its rotation.
“The Daily Beast responded to the ‘Try That In A Small Town’ music video with a headline titled, ‘Jason Aldean Catches Heat for Racist, Pro-Gun Lyrics: ’a Modern Lynching Song,’” according to Breitbart News.
Newsweek’s response was similar, with an article titled, “Jason Aldean’s New Song Sparks Outrage Over Guns—’ Very Scary Lyrics.’”
Moreover, Variety reported, “Late Tuesday, after airing Jason Aldean’s music video for ‘Try That in a Small Town,’ the CMT network pulled the three-minute clip from the air on Monday.”
Faced with the backlash, Aldean defended his song and denied any racist overtones.
He asserted that the song was meant to evoke the sense of community he experienced growing up.
“NO ONE, including me, wants to continue to see senseless headlines or families ripped apart. … ‘Try That In A Small Town,’ for me, refers to the feeling of a community that I had growing up, where we took care of our neighbors, regardless of differences of background or belief,” Aldean explained.
Haley’s use of Aldean’s song in her campaign event underscores the burgeoning support within the GOP for Aldean’s messaging amid the continued debate.
