Cody Johnson interrupts concert to talk about Trump’s shooting
“I’m tired of the division. I’m tired of people talking about Trump and Biden,” said the country singer
Cody Johnson, the Texas country singer who signed with Warner Nashville and parlayed his regional fame into national hits like “Dirt Cheap,” interrupted his headlining performance at the Windy City Smokeout Festival in Chicago on Saturday to speak at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, about the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump earlier that evening.
While some country artists like John Rich preferred to stoke conspiracy theories online or beat their chests like Kid Rock, Johnson made an emotional appeal to all parties in the hours after the shooting, calling for unity. He recalled the sacrifices made by members of the American military and first responders throughout history. He also condemned the attack on Trump that left one rally attendee dead (the shooter was also killed).
“The fact that an American citizen believes that what he did today would solve a problem in this country is absolutely repulsive. If you want to solve a problem in this country, go out there on Election Day and vote for whoever you want,” Johnson said. “Because before most of you were born, an American soldier died so you have the right to disagree with someone else.”
Johnson mentioned both Trump and President Biden by name – the crowd booed at the mention of the latter – as he spoke about the tribalism that has come to define American politics. “I’m sick of the hate. I’m sick of the division. I’m sick of people talking about Trump and Biden,” he said. “There are people in this crowd who agree with Trump. There are people in this crowd who agree with Biden… That’s your God-given American right to believe what you want.”
Johnson also sang “God Bless America” and spoke about his own upbringing. In the end, however, his most passionate statement was about national unity. “I don’t give a damn who you vote for, and I don’t give a damn what you think about what’s on the news,” he said. “Only three things that matter to me tonight are red, white and blue.”
Top 10 songs the Stones won’t play on their 2024 tour
Michigan State Football is expected to play in the Quick Lane Bowl
World Triathlon Para Series Montreal expected to determine final Paralympics rankings • World Triathlon
About The Author
