Toby Keith Won't Apologize For Playing The Trump Inauguration, Good For Him
Source – “Red Solo Cup” singer [Toby Keith] will be among the headliners at the ‘Make America Great Again!’ Welcome Celebration in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, on the eve of Trump’s inauguration, playing alongside acts including 3 Doors Down and Lee Greenwood.
The lineup was announced on Friday, sparking a barrage of criticism from social media users, who expressed their disappointment at the artists’ decision to help controversial Republican Trump mark the start of his time in office.
Broadway star Jennifer Holliday was initially included as one of the show’s headliners, but she canceled the performance on Saturday after listening to fans’ complaints.
However, Keith has no qualms about going through with the concert, insisting politics don’t factor into his decisions to play gigs of national importance.
“I don’t apologize for performing for our country or military,” he explains in a statement issued to Entertainment Weekly.
“I performed at events for previous presidents (George W.) Bush and (Barack) Obama and over 200 shows in Iraq and Afghanistan for the USO (United Service Organizations).”
Good for Toby Keith, really and truly. It’s such a joke that people think they should continue dragging and stomping their feet against the election results when we’re days away from the Inauguration and whatever that entails. But even if you’re mad at the election itself, why start targeting people who are just playing an Inauguration? Enough artists made clear that they would NEEEEVER play it because they simply don’t believe in the new regime coming in whether they were on a Trump invite shortlist or not. So why can’t an artist just play the event that’s a great opportunity and maybe be a part of some (at least theoretical) start to healing in our nation? He even made clear that it’s not about politics (even if it is) but about supporting the country. How can you hate that? The fact that these people can portray bullying and harassing people out of taking work and great opportunities to be seen in their recognized field as some sort of social justice is absurd. Let Toby Keith and whatever Z-list Broadway stars may have wanted to perform there live their lives you dickbags.
Besides Toby, it’s a real murderer’s row of performers you also probably could have booked for your child’s birthday party:
Artists confirmed to perform on Inauguration Day are child star Jackie Evancho, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and the Rockettes.
Shocked they don’t have a guy dressed as Spider-Man or a bouncy castle in the opener. At least they’ve got the headliner. Never apologize for entertaining the people, Toby Keith: