EXCLUSIVE — The National Republican Congressional Committee is selling limited-edition "Small Town Proud" T-shirts in support of country star Jason Aldean’s “Try That In A Small Town” song and music video, which has become embroiled in controversy in recent days.
Country Music Television pulled the song from its network on Monday following criticism that it featured a pro-lynching stance due to the lyrics and video, which includes Black Lives Matter protest imagery and allegedly promotes gun violence.
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“The radical Left wants America’s cities to look more like crime-ridden war zones and less like white picket fences and American flags. They’ll continue to go out of their way to terrorize anyone who dares question their dangerous beliefs if we don’t push back," the NRCC's national press secretary, Will Reinert, said in a statement to the Washington Examiner.
An NRCC Facebook ad for the T-shirts encourages supporters to push back against Aldean's critics. "If you're tired of the Left trying to cancel small-town America, get your shirt today!" one post read.
The song was originally released in May, but it was after the music video was uploaded online last week that outrage gained fuel. Critics have pointed to the song's lyrics in particular as promoting violence. "Cuss out a cop, spit in his face/Stomp on the flag and light it up/Yeah, ya think you're tough/Well, try that in a small town/See how far ya make it down the road," the lyrics read.
Aldean defended himself against the criticisms on Tuesday, one day after CMT pulled his song. "There is not a single lyric in the song that references race or points to it — and there isn’t a single video clip that isn’t real news footage — and while I can try and respect others to have their own interpretation of a song with music- this one goes too far," Aldean said.
"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. Because they were our neighbors, and that was above any differences," he added.
In the past 24 hours I have been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song (a song that has been out since May) and was subject to the comparison that I (direct quote) was not too pleased with the nationwide BLM protests. These references are not only meritless, but dangerous.…
— Jason Aldean (@Jason_Aldean) July 18, 2023
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Republicans have come to Aldean's defense over the controversy. At least two 2024 hopefuls, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, have played the song on the campaign trail. Former President Donald Trump defended Aldean on social media. "Jason Aldean is a fantastic guy who just came out with a great new song. Support Jason all the way. MAGA!!!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The NRCC is targeting at least 37 House Democrats during next year's elections in hopes of expanding their slim four-seat majority in the House.