Fox News under fire for defending Jason Aldean’s use of lynching site in music video
It was shot in front of the Maury County Courthouse which was the site of the 1927 mob lynching of Black teenager
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Fox News has come under fire for its defence of Jason Aldean shooting his controversial “Try That in a Small Town” music video in front of an infamous mob lynching site.
The widely-criticised video was shot in front of the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee, which was the site of the 1927 mob lynching of Black teenager Henry Choate.
It has now been pulled off Country Music Television after it was branded racist and a “dog whistle.”
The video also features clips of violent news footage, while an American flag is draped between the pillars of the historic courthouse.
In it, Aldean sings about what he views as big-city behaviour not being accepted in small-town America, using the lines “car jack an old lady”, “Stomp on the flag”, and “cuss out a cop.”
‘A modern lynching song’?: Jason Aldean and the most controversial song in country
Jason Aldean responds as row continues over ‘Try That in a Small Town’- The Jason Aldean video is just the tip of the country music iceberg
Sheryl Crow accuses Jason Aldean of ‘promoting violence’ with controversial song ‘Try That In A Small Town’
Moment country singer Jason Aldean runs off stage after suffering heat stroke
Now Fox News defended Aldean by pointing out that the location has been “seen in many films & shows” before.
Fox News has finally found its justification for Jason Aldean using the site of a mob lynching in the video of "Try That in a Small Town" -- it's been used in other movies and shows before. pic.twitter.com/sJf6oJP05D
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) July 20, 2023
The right-wing channel even flashed up a still from “A Nashville Country Christmas” featuring fake snow and Christmas trees to prove their point.
“Bigotry loves company,” one Twitter user wrote in response to the Fox News segment.
And another added: “The way Fox messaging is absolutely insensitive to the experiences and violence directed towards marginalized communities ... is on brand.”
Aldean, a pro-Trump Republican who grew up in Macon, Georgia, which has a population of 160,000, has denied the allegations.
“There is not a single lyric in the song that references race or points to it – and there isn’t a single video clip that isn’t real news footage – and while I can try and respect others to have their own interpretation of a song with music – this one goes too far,” he tweeted on Tuesday.
In the past 24 hours I have been accused of releasing a pro-lynching song (a song that has been out since May) and was subject to the comparison that I (direct quote) was not too pleased with the nationwide BLM protests. These references are not only meritless, but dangerous.…
— Jason Aldean (@Jason_Aldean) July 18, 2023
Tacklebox, the production company behind the video, said on Wednesday that it had filmed at a ”popular filming location outside of Nashville”, also used by holiday films featuring Tanya Tucker, and another with Mario Lopez and Jana Krama.
“Any alternative narrative suggesting the music video’s location decision is false,” the company said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
0Comments