Kristi Noem has invited Jason Aldean to perform on her front lawn.
The South Dakota governor posted a video to Twitter on Wednesday offering her support to the embattled country singer.
My thoughts on “Try that in a Small Town”…. @Jason_Aldean pic.twitter.com/umJ8qFvy2o
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) July 19, 2023
“Thank you for writing a song that America can get behind,” Noem said, referring to Aldean’s number-one hit “Try That In A Small Town,” which critics have described as pro-lynching.
“Keep singing. Keep playing, and if you want to come to South Dakota, I’ll let you play anywhere. We’ll facilitate it. I know you’re coming in August, but if you want to come sing it on the governor’s residence’s front lawn, we’ll do it proudly,” the governor added.
Noem also promoted Aldean’s song on May 26 in an Instagram post, writing in the caption that the music video “better be filmed in South Dakota.” He ended up filming the video, which includes news footage of protesters clashing with police and burning the American flag, in Columbia, Tennessee. The lyrics encourage rioters and criminals to “try that in a small town” and “see how far you make it down the road.” (RELATED: Jason And Brittany Aldean Are Totally Unapologetic Over Song Backlash, And We Love To See It)
“I am shocked by what I am seeing in this country with people attempting to cancel this song and cancel Jason and his beliefs,” Noem said in Wednesday’s Twitter video. “Him and [his wife] Brittany are outspoken about their love for law and order and for their love of this country and I’m just grateful for them.”
“I think a lot of time people that 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 from it,” the South Dakota governor added.
CMT pulled the music video for Aldean’s from the network shortly after its July 14 debut and has not provided any official explanation.