How times have changed.
Of course everybody remembers what happened back in 2003 when Natalie Maines, lead singer of the Dixie Chicks (now known simply as The Chicks) said that she was embarrassed that then-President George W. Bush was from their home state of Texas during a show in London.
The backlash to the comments, which came in response to the invasion of Iraq, was swift and severe. The Chicks were blacklisted from thousands of country radio stations, fans burned their albums in protest, and the band members even reported receiving death threats over the comments.
Fast forward 23 years later and Maines’ comments appear tame by comparison to the rhetoric about our president now. Country music artists as politically divided as the rest of society is these days, so I think it’s safe to say that her comments wouldn’t spark near the backlash today as they did back in 2003 when our country was less than two years removed from the 9/11 terror attacks.
And apparently Maines has also softened her stance on the 43rd President of the United States – thanks to the 45th and 47th president.
These days it’s not exactly “edgy” or controversial for a celebrity to attack President Donald Trump. In fact it’s pretty much expected that celebrities are anti-Trump, and voters clearly don’t care: He’s now been elected twice despite the dire warnings from left-wing celebrities and their endorsements of Democrats.
Earlier this year, Maines once again decided to voice her opinion on Trump, taking to Instagram with a vulgar rant:
“Our democracy is disappearing right before our eyes. This fugly slut is using your gas money to pay the insurrectionists. But don’t worry about it. I’m sure posting selfies will fix everything. My last post that called him a fugly slut got removed. We’ll see how long this one lasts. Repost and help the message live.”
And the White House responded with a shot at Maines of their own:
“Natalie Maines is a despicable nobody who clearly suffers from a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome that has rotted her peanut-sized brain.”
Well Maines recently took the stage at the Beacon Theatre in New York City for a stop on their Taking the Long Way 20th Anniversary Tour, and they addressed the backlash they received for their comments in 2003, and their feelings on George W. Bush now:
“We thought that was the worst it could get. Now I’d give George Bush a big wet kiss. ’Cause now we’re ashamed the president of the United States is from the United States.”
During the show, she also spoke about President Barack Obama, praising him for “all the positive things” he’s done for our country:
“So different than the deranged nut job we have right now. Very bizarre times.”
Of course there won’t be any backlash to her comments this time around, and there’s a good chance the president responds with an insult of his own.
Times have definitely changed since 2003.
