Jason Aldean has defended his decision to come out in support of Donald Trump – despite previously saying he would not get involved in politics.
The country music star, 47, is preparing to perform for the incoming president at the Inaugural Liberty Ball on Monday night alongside fellow artists Nelly, Snoop Dogg, and The Village People.
Ahead of his 30-minute set, Jason was probed by CBS Mornings anchor Gayle King about why he decided to rally around Trump.
‘You had said in the past that you had no intention in getting involved in politics, yet here you are,’ Gayle, 70, pointed out. ‘What made you decide, “you know what, I’m jumping in?”‘
Explaining his U-turn, Jason said: ‘I think the fact that when he first came out, he didn’t talk like a politician.
‘He wasn’t that guy. He was a guy that spoke my language, put it in layman terms for me a little bit.
Jason Aldean has defended his decision to come out in support of Donald Trump
The country music star, 47, is preparing to perform for the incoming president at the Inaugural Liberty Ball on Monday
‘I did watch a lot of stuff that did happen with him over the last few years where he had a lot of people that were fans of his and then he became president and they weren’t a fan of his anymore.
‘And now you’re seeing people become a fan again, now that he’s in office.
‘To me, he’s a guy who spoke my language. I like what he stands for. I like that he’s a no BS kind of guy.’
Jason’s stance on politics was starkly different a near decade ago.
Speaking to Rolling Stone in 2016, he said his voting record was ‘one subject I do stay away from.’
‘Politics is a no-win,’ he added to the publication.
Jason told CBS Mornings that he was ‘honored’ to be performing for Trump and expressed that his presidency will mark a ‘new era.’
He said: ‘It’s a big day for our country.
‘The last few years have been really divisive, a lot going on, it’s a new era for our country.’
Jason previously said in a 2016 interview that he would not get involved in politics
Jason cemented his status as a Trump supporter back in July when he dedicated a performance of his controversial hit Try That in a Small Town to the leader.
The singer made the declaration at a concert in New Jersey, hours after a 20-year-old gunman attempted to take the former president’s life.
‘President Trump’s a friend of mine so I want to send this next song out to him,’ he said at the time, speaking on-stage.
‘We all know what’s going to happen come November, so it’s all good.
‘Just goes to show you there’s a lot of bullshit in the world, and that’s kind of what this song right here was about, so this one goes out to the pres.’
On Sunday, fellow Liberty Ball performer Nelly responded to the backlash over his decision to perform at the event which celebrates the inauguration of Trump.
The rapper, 50, who along with Snoop Dogg has agreed to take part in the inaugural festivities, explained his reasons for accepting the invitation to right-wing journalist Officer Lew on X, formerly Twitter.
‘I’m not doing this for money, I’m doing this ’cause it’s an honor. I respect the office.’ the Grillz artist explained. ‘It don’t matter who in office.’