Country singer Luke Bryan responded Sunday to the wave of backlash he faced over the weekend for allowing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) to make a surprise appearance at his Friday concert.
Video from Friday’s show posted to social media showed Bryan simply walking onto the arena stage with the lights on and no music playing as the show began, a departure from the pageantry typical of Byran’s performances. Bryan then started talking to the crowd about the deadly storm before calling the Florida governor onto the stage, an appearance Bryan said in a statement Sunday was at the governor’s request.
“Hey [Luke Bryan], did you know Gov. DeSantis is 100% against LGBT equality?” substack writer Charlotte Clymer tweeted at the country music superstar following the clip going viral online. “Why would you support that?”
DESANTIS APPEARS AT LUKE BRYAN CONCERT FOR HURRICANE IAN RELIEF AMID TRUMP SNUB
“Hey [Luke Bryan] enjoy your new foray into conservative politics!” drag queen Scarlet Envy tweeted. “What an embarrassment to [American Idol].”
“Looks like I won’t be watching [American Idol] anymore now that [Bryan] has come out as a supporter of fascism and hate,” author Christopher Golden wrote.
“Can you imagine being so supportive of homophobia, transphobia, control of women, abuse of immigrants, and suppression of voters that you use your privilege and platform to bring Ron DeSantis out on stage like some damn hero?” author John Pavlovitz tweeted. “[Luke Bryan] can.”
Can you imagine being so supportive of homophobia, transphobia, control of women, abuse of immigrants, and suppression of voters that you use your privilege and platform to bring Ron DeSantis out on stage like some damn hero?@lukebryan can.
— John Pavlovitz (@johnpavlovitz) October 30, 2022
“I understand that Governor DeSantis is a very polarizing figure,” Bryan wrote in a statement on Twitter. “But I grew up in a country where if a governor ask you if they can come and raise awareness to help raise awareness to help victims of a natural disaster you help.”
Bryan went on to say that he doesn’t typically “respond to stuff when I’m getting run down on social media” and has “generally stayed out of politics throughout my career,” before defending his decision to have DeSantis at his show, arguing it raised money for Hurricane Ian relief.
“I knew people would chatter about this but for me the more important piece was if I am going to go back there a few weeks after a large portion of people have been affected by a natural disaster in a state where people have been good to me this felt right,” Bryan wrote. “This is all I am saying about this. I’ll be outdoor with my boys. Enjoy your Sunday. Love ya’ll.”
Doubling down on his original effort to raise money for the state, Bryan included a number for his 9.3 million followers to donate to.
Bryan’s explanation did not satisfy all his critics, with some arguing the American Idol host appeared to take part in a political stunt for DeSantis, who is up for re-election next month.
“Hey Luke Bryan – if you don’t want to be seen as political, don’t bring a psychotically deranged human trafficking child torturing right wing extremist like Ron DeSantis on stage during your concert,” the media outlet Palmer report tweeted.
Hey Luke Bryan – if you don’t want to be seen as political, don’t bring a psychotically deranged human trafficking child torturing right wing extremist like Ron DeSantis on stage during your concert.
— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) October 30, 2022
“The money was going to victims regardless, yes? He used you to prop himself up and you allowed it,” comedian Sarah Colonna wrote. “You know I’m a huge fan. It’s just a bummer.”
Bryan’s fans spoke out against the online hate, agreeing that the bigger picture of providing relief to those affected by the hurricane was most important.
“So our brotha [Luke Bryan] brings up [Ron DeSantis] last night on stage!!! Some people bashing him for it? Really? But other artist can bring up Pelosi, abrams, etc, and that’s ok? Give it up people and get over yourselves,” fellow artists Preston Brust and Chris Lucas tweeted. “P.S. This goes out to the 6 people that didn’t like it.”
Ps. This goes out to the 6 people that didn’t like it. Lol
— LOCASH (@LOCASHmusic) October 30, 2022
“So proud of [Bryan],” musician Joe Bonsall wrote. “I wonder what the naysayers and haters have done for hurricane relief ???”
“Not a damn thing is what they’ve done,” country singer John Rich responded. “Zero. If it was a disaster in California? You would’ve already had a Super Bowl level concert…”
Not a damn thing is what they’ve done. Zero. If it was a disaster in California? You would’ve already had a Super Bowl level concert…
— John Rich🇺🇸 (@johnrich) October 30, 2022
“Reminder to all public figures, corporations, etc… Twitter isn’t real life,” DeSantis spokesperson Christina Pushaw tweeted in response. “The haters might be loud and well-organized online, but in reality, they are a small portion of the population, especially here in Florida. Thanks [Bryan] for helping support Hurricane Ian victims.”
Reminder to all public figures, corporations, etc… Twitter isn’t real life. The haters might be loud and well-organized online, but in reality, they are a small portion of the population, especially here in Florida.
Thanks @lukebryan for helping support Hurricane Ian victims💕 https://t.co/82Ydk2MNGe
— Christina Pushaw 🐊 🇺🇸 (@ChristinaPushaw) October 30, 2022
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Over $50 million has been raised towards the Florida Disaster Fund as of Friday, according to the governor’s office, one month after Hurricane Ian made landfall.
