Country music star Zach Bryan addressed criticism on Tuesday regarding his forthcoming song "Bad News," which some claim critiques the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Bryan clarified that the song reflects his love for the country and emphasized that those who weaponize it only highlight the deep divisions within society.
A snippet of "Bad News," shared by Bryan on Instagram last Friday, ignited outrage across social media platforms. Critics accused the Grammy-winning artist of targeting former President Donald Trump's controversial immigration raids. In the song, Bryan poignantly sings: "And ICE is gonna come bust down your door, try to build a house no one builds no more, but I got a telephone, kids are all scared and all alone." This particular lyric quickly attracted backlash, with some fans expressing their disappointment.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) stated, "I'm a Zach Bryan fan but will NOT be listening to this song or any other promoting violence," while another wrote, "I’m disappointed in him to hear that he’s promoting a song that will amplify the violence in this country — but it will save me a lot of money on his tickets!"
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also voiced her disapproval, stating that she hopes Bryan recognizes how disrespectful the song is—not only to law enforcement but to every individual who has fought for the country's freedoms. "He just compromised it all by putting out a product such as that attacks individuals who are just trying to make our streets safe," she remarked in a video shared by conservative commentator Benny Johnson.
Additionally, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin suggested that Bryan should focus on his previous work, saying, "Stick to Pink Skies, dude," in reference to his 2024 song.
In a series of Instagram Stories on Tuesday, Bryan explained that he wrote "Bad News" months ago, asserting that it is fundamentally about his love for the country and everyone in it. "When you hear the rest of the song, you will understand the full context that hits on both sides of the aisle," he stated, adding that the current divisive climate is concerning.
He remarked, "Everyone using this now as a weapon is only proving how devastatingly divided we all are. We need to find our way back." The artist, who recently set the record for the largest ticketed concert in the U.S., has previously engaged in political discussions, particularly during the backlash against Bud Light over its partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
During the ongoing controversy surrounding his unreleased song, Bryan expressed feeling "kind of scared." He emphasized the importance of unity, stating, "Left wing or right wing, we’re all one bird and American." He clarified that he does not align with radical sides and reassured disappointed fans from both ends of the political spectrum: "Just know I’m trying my best too, and we all say things that are misconstrued sometimes."
In another Instagram Story, he expressed pride in serving a country that values free speech: "I am SO proud to have served in a country where we can speak freely and converse amongst each other without getting doxxed or accosted on the internet or worse; the violence and heartbreak we’ve faced in the last few months!"
As of Wednesday, a representative for Zach Bryan had no further comments on the matter, leaving fans and critics alike to ponder the implications of "Bad News."
