Garth Brooks, a noted Republican who hails from red-state Oklahoma, took the mic at Joe Biden’s Inauguration and called for unity with an A Capella rendition of “Amazing Grace.” Well, many in Brooks’ Republican fanbase are not pleased right now. No doubt, Brooks anticipated the backlash, given that he pre-explained his decision to perform at the event. In doing so, he told CNN that his performance was “not a political statement,” and that he truly believes that unity must be a priority in our divided nation.
“It’s not Republican or Democrat,” Brooks emphasized to CNN while noting that Jill Biden invited him to perform. “It’s a leader for whom I am the civilian of the greatest country on the planet.” Esquire quotes the country singer as further explaining, “I might be the only Republican at this place. But it’s reaching across, loving one another because that’s what’s going to get us through probably the most divided times that we have. I want the divided times to be behind us.”
Also, this definitely happened.
Garth Brooks runs over to George W. Bush and gives him a bear hug pic.twitter.com/5u5t0Be8IE
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) January 20, 2021
Needless to say, there will be resistance to the calls for unity, which was also the theme of Biden’s measured speech, in which he also stressed that there was an untold amount of work to be done to heal the nation during our current troubling times. Some will work against him, and they’re also working against Garth Brooks right now. He had to have known this was coming, of course, but Brooks persisted because, yes, it’s damn important for the parties to come together while our nation is reeling. Yet the far-right backlash has begun.
Granted, one of these people made it a point to mention his Parler handle in his Twitter bio, so there’s that, but once news of Garth’s performance surfaced, the predictable cries of “Garth Brooks is the Liz Cheney of country music” and “Boycott Garth Brooks!!” were heard. And there’s some Facebook drama, too.
Garth Brooks is the Liz Cheney of country music.
— ?? PapaCap ?? (@bsmitch007) January 19, 2021
Boycott Garth Brooks!!
— Brigitte Gabriel (@ACTBrigitte) January 19, 2021
Full on tantrum over at the @garthbrooks FB page: pic.twitter.com/U7htQ3xKFD
— joe wertz (@joewertz) January 20, 2021
Garth's rendition of the beloved Christian hymn "Amazing Grace," was actually a disavowal of God, family and country ? pic.twitter.com/vaBBFzfAzy
— joe wertz (@joewertz) January 20, 2021
After today, i can no longer support Garth Brooks as i never knew of his political crap. I am done with him
— Sonny (@sonnycalif) January 20, 2021
For sure, though, there were even more messages of support. People felt chills while listening to Garth sing, and they were here for the whole mood.
Garth Brooks has been a vocal LGBTQ+ ally for decades so there shall be ZERO Garth Brooks Snark today. pic.twitter.com/VO7Vn7hETi
— The Kirk Unit ???️? (@KirkCruz) January 20, 2021
Garth Brooks walked up in that piece in his work jeans and that ish was perfect.
— jelani cobb (@jelani9) January 20, 2021
Shout out to Garth Brooks for representing Oklahoma in a non embarrassing way
— ms. ur mom maggie (@magz_zilla) January 20, 2021
I sang along with Garth Brooks, did you sign along with Garth Brooks?
— Tommy McFLY (@TommyMcFLY) January 20, 2021
Garth Brooks has been one of the most vocal and generous supporters of progressive causes for his entire career, he constantly maxes out his campaign contributions and then gives bajillions to lefty shit. I’ll not have him besmirched here.
— Alana Massey (@AlanaMassey) January 20, 2021
a note on garth brooks pic.twitter.com/F235c8tWLg
— David Oliver (@doliver8) January 20, 2021
However, if Garth was really wanting to send a message… well, this Twitter user makes an excellent point. A Lady Gaga duet would have made this moment even better.
Make Garth Brooks sing "Alejandro" you cowards
— Michael Hobbes (@RottenInDenmark) January 20, 2021