Country singer Wynonna Judd said she prefers to keep political commentary out of her performances, responding to remarks by fellow artist Kacey Musgraves about Christopher Columbus during an interview with Tomi Lahren.
Musgraves made the comments at a concert in Texas earlier in the week, while discussing the national holiday observed that Monday. She used vulgar language to insult Columbus, according to the supplied report. Her remarks drew both support and criticism.
Asked about the episode on Lahren’s program, “Tomi Lahren Is Fearless,” Judd said Musgraves was entitled to speak her mind, while adding that having the right to do so did not necessarily make the choice appropriate. Judd did not elaborate on Columbus or the historical debate surrounding him.
Judd said she does not view political commentary as part of her role onstage. She told Lahren that fans do not come to her concerts asking for her political opinions, and described her job as entertaining them. Judd also said her grandmother would have strongly objected to the kind of remarks Musgraves made.
She said she sometimes considers what Dolly Parton would do when deciding how much to share about her beliefs. Judd described supporting military service members as a cause important to her, but said she is hurt when others associate that support with a particular political position.
“I didn’t come here to talk about politics, I came to talk about music,” Judd said, adding that her private efforts were not other people’s business. She nevertheless spoke openly about her patriotism, saying she supports service members and is “for America.” She also noted that her son is a deputy.
Judd said that when she takes the stage, she goes directly to the flag, and expressed the view that love of country should be greater than political differences. She said she would support the president as the holder of the office, citing President Biden as an example.
The interview, as presented in the source material, centers on Judd’s personal views about the boundaries between entertainment and politics. It does not include a response from Musgraves to Judd’s comments.
