Country Music Television (CMT) has stirred controversy among fans after pulling the music video for Jason Aldean’s new song, “Try That In A Small Town.” The move has sparked a heated debate on the involvement of businesses in politics and the idea of selective accountability in America.
Entrepreneur and financial guru, Ted Jenkin, voiced his concerns about businesses taking political stances and the potential consequences they might face. Drawing a comparison to a recent Bud Light promotion celebrating transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney’s “365 Days of Girlhood,” which caused sales to plummet due to conservative consumer boycotts, Jenkin questioned whether businesses should be in the business of selling products and services rather than advocating political agendas.
CMT, known to have a blue-collar audience similar to that of Bud Light prior to its controversy, has taken a different path, leading to criticism from some viewers. Fans came out in strong support of Jason Aldean, with one concertgoer highlighting the song’s themes of American pride, freedom, and community protection.
Critics have accused the “woke left” of imposing cancel culture on various aspects of society, including entertainment. Some suggest that CMT’s decision to pull the video reflects this ongoing trend. The debate escalated when accusations were made against Aldean, with some claiming his song contained pro-lynching sentiments. Aldean has firmly denied such accusations, and supporters have pointed out that the song addresses illegal acts during riots and government actions, emphasizing the contrast between urban and rural responses to unrest.
Jenkin pointed to a perceived double standard in America, where artists popular among liberals seem to have more leeway in expressing their views. To illustrate this, some conservatives have drawn attention to violent and graphic lyrics in rap songs, questioning why such instances are not subject to the same scrutiny.
Why is @Jason_Aldean being held to a standard that is never applied to the most popular rap artists in the world? pic.twitter.com/Rr0ZZI7L5y
— The Matt Walsh Show (@MattWalshShow) July 19, 2023
The location of Aldean’s music video shoot also faced criticism, with detractors pointing out that several other productions had previously used the Maury County Courthouse in Tennessee without any objections. This selective accountability has fueled the ongoing polarization in the nation.
CMT’s decision to pull Aldean’s video has further divided opinions, with some fans expressing their displeasure over the network’s actions. CMT, a basic cable network that managed only 116,000 average total day viewers in June, cannot afford to lose many followers, making this decision a potential risk for the network.
🇺🇸 USA Chants Break Out as Jason Aldean Addresses the Media Attacks on Him This Week
“I love our country. I want to see it restored to what it once was before all this bullsh*t started happening to us.”
*From last night’s show in Cincinnati, OH (7/21) pic.twitter.com/VKGRIp0PvD
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) July 22, 2023
As the debate over the involvement of businesses in politics rages on, CMT may face the consequences of its actions, as seen with the Bud Light controversy. Whether the network will consider revisiting its stance and restoring Aldean’s video remains to be seen, but the incident has sparked broader discussions about free speech, accountability, and the influence of political agendas on entertainment platforms.
