South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem blasted liberals for trying to ‘cancel’ country music star Jason Aldean and defended him on social media against the backlash over his new music video blasting Black Lives Matter rioters and daring them to “try that in a small town.”
“I am shocked by what I’m seeing in this country with people attempting to cancel this song and cancel Jason and his beliefs,” Noem posted in a video on Twitter Wednesday. “He and Brittany are outspoken about their love for law and order and their love of this country, and I’m just grateful for them.”
Noem’s video comes in response to a music video for Aldean’s song “Try That in a Small Town,” which has lyrics warning violent criminals and those who disrespect law enforcement and the American flag to “try that in a small town.”
In his song, Aldean sings, “Yeah, ya think you’re tough? Try that in a small town, and see how far you make it down the road. Around here, we take care of our own; you cross that line, it won’t take long for you to find out; I recommend you don’t.”
The song faced criticism from liberal activists who claimed the song had racial undertones. One anti-gun activist claimed the song was about how “he and his friends will shoot you if you try to take their guns.”
Country Music Television announced they removed the song from their video rotation.
46 Aldean rejected that his song was disrespectful, which hit airwaves in May, referencing “race or points to it.”
“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,” Aldean shared with his nearly 8 million fans across social media.
Aldean also shared what the song means to him. “While I can try and respect others to have their own interpretation of a song with music—this one goes too far,” he wrote.
“These references are not only meritless but dangerous. 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.”
Noem said in her video that Aldean is welcome to perform anywhere in South Dakota, including on the front lawn of the governor’s residence.
“I think a lot of times people who go out and fight every day on these important issues and have an opinion and remember the freedom and liberty that this country was founded on get persecuted for it, and we’re seeing that right now with the Aldean’s and the songwriters that worked so hard on this,” Noem said.
“I just want them to know that we support them, we love them, thank you for writing a song that America can get behind,” she added.
Aldean released his “Try That In A Small Town” song in May but dropped a video Friday to promote the single while building anticipation for an upcoming album release.
“When u grow up in a small town, it’s that unspoken rule of ‘we all have each other’s backs, and we look out for each other.’ It feels like that sense of community and respect has gotten lost somewhere along the way. Deep down, we are all ready to get back to that. I hope my new music video helps y'all know you are not alone in feeling that way. Go check it out!”
