Country music star Zach Bryan is facing backlash after sharing a snippet of a new song that criticizes federal immigration raids. The short clip posted on Instagram has divided fans, with some calling him brave and others swearing off his music entirely.
In the snippet, Bryan sings, “ICE is gonna come, bust down your door / Try to build a house no one builds no more / But I’ve got a telephone / Kids are all scared and all alone.”
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He continues, “I’ve got some bad news / The fading of the red, white and blue.”
The post comes as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids intensify nationwide, with protests erupting in cities like Chicago and Portland, where clashes between demonstrators and federal agents have escalated.
Fans flood social media with criticism
Soon after Bryan’s post went up, comments began pouring in. “The fading of your career,” one user wrote. “THIS IS PATRIOT COUNTRY NOW GET OUT.”
Another accused the artist of being paid to include the anti-ICE lyrics.
Some news outlets even referred to Bryan’s past controversies, including his 2024 apology for saying he preferred Kanye West over Taylor Swift.
Bryan’s apology over Taylor Swift comments resurfaces
According to Variety, Bryan deleted his X account last year after publicly apologizing to Swift and her fans.
“I never want anyone to think I have a hint of malice or meanness towards anyone, ever,” Bryan wrote. “I’ve been going through a hard time in my own life and I think I was projecting a little. To be completely honest, it just came off as rude and desensitized to Taylor. I respect her so much as a musician that the last thing I want is people thinking I don’t appreciate and love what she has done for music.”
The apology resurfaced after his latest song preview, with some fans accusing him of “virtue signaling.”
While one critic labeled him “another liberal tool, like [Bruce] Springsteen,” another wrote, “Why in the world would you alienate over half the country and attack a country and veterans that gave you all the entitlement and freedom you have? We can help you pack and move to Canada.”
The 29-year-old Navy veteran, who recorded his first two albums while serving, has also spoken up about other issues in the past.
“I just think insulting transgender people is completely wrong because we live in a country where we can all just be who we want to be,” he wrote on X in 2023. “It’s a great day to be alive, I thought.”
Despite the negative comments on his latest snippet, supporters flooded his comment section thanking him for speaking up.
One user wrote, “I already liked your music but man you just gained a routine listener! Thank you for being on the right side of history.”
It also seems Bryan gained a few fans, as one user commented, “Didn’t know of you till now, but now a fan. Playing your music nonstop.”
Country artists speaking out
Bryan’s move places him among a small but growing list of country musicians willing to wade into political waters. Artists like Taylor Swift and Maren Morris have also used their platforms to voice criticism of conservative policies and Trump-era politics.
But it hasn’t just been the Trump era that’s spurred artists to speak out. Country stars like the Chicks (previously Dixie Chicks) faced fierce backlash long before.
“Just so you know, we’re on the good side with y’all,” Natalie Maines said during a show in London in 2003, referring to President George W. Bush days before the U.S. invaded Iraq. “We do not want this war, this violence. And we’re ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas.”
The comments led to the group being blacklisted by multiple country radio stations and death threats from fans.
Despite the backlash, Bryan’s career momentum hasn’t slowed. His snippet dropped just days before he broke George Strait’s record for the largest ticketed concert in history — performing in front of a 112,408-person crowd.
