Wynonna Judd weighed in on Kacey Musgraves’ controversial comments about Christopher Columbus during an appearance on the Tomi Lahren Is Fearless podcast. While Judd defended Musgraves’ right to express herself, she questioned whether artists should bring political views into their performances.
The discussion followed Musgraves’ comments during a Dallas concert. After realizing the following day was Columbus Day, Musgraves led the crowd in an explicit “F**k Christopher Columbus” chant. Her remarks drew backlash, including criticism from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Wynonna Judd discusses Kacey Musgraves’ political comments on the Tomi Lahren Is Fearless podcast
When Tomi Lahren asked Judd about the controversy, the country singer acknowledged Musgraves’ freedom to speak her mind. However, she added that having the right to say something “doesn’t mean it’s the right thing.”
Judd also imagined how an older generation in her own family would have reacted. She said her grandmother “would’ve had a fit” over Musgraves’ comments.
That response led Judd into a broader discussion about how she approaches politics as a performer. Rather than using concerts to promote political opinions, she said musicians should focus on entertaining the people who paid to see them.
Judd pointed to Dolly Parton as an example of an artist who could connect with a broad audience without making political disagreements the focus of a show.
As per OK!, Judd also explained why she preferred that approach. “I am for America, period,” she said, arguing that music should bring people together rather than divide audiences based on political assumptions.
The singer said people had previously interpreted her support for the military and law enforcement as evidence of particular political beliefs. Judd, however, described herself as an independent and said she did not publicly endorse candidates.
Her comments followed a separate controversy involving Rosie O’Donnell, who had previously claimed Judd supported Donald Trump. O’Donnell based that assumption partly on Judd performing at an unrelated Mar-a-Lago event in 2023.
Judd rejected the claim and said she had never discussed politics with O’Donnell. Her representative also said Judd had performed for seven U.S. presidents from both parties but had never performed for Trump. O’Donnell later publicly apologized and acknowledged that her assumption was incorrect.
For Judd, the Musgraves debate ultimately returned to the same position: artists can hold political views, but she prefers keeping those views away from the stage.
