In an interview with Fox News' Jimmy Failla, Nugent expressed his frustration with the song's detractors, stating, "I know there's a bunch of idiots out there, but you need to learn to get a kick out of the idiots. The idiots hate this Jason Aldean song because they hate when we push back against violence."
Nugent clarified that the song is actually against violence and is about self-defense and protecting loved ones in one's neighborhood. He dismissed those who find fault with a song that celebrates protecting one's community, suggesting they may be more inclined to engage in misguided activities. "If you find fault with a song that celebrates protecting your loved ones, your neighborhood, you might be going down to Target to the Satan display and get down on your knees," Nugent quipped.
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Known for his controversial views on issues such as Second Amendment rights and freedom of speech, Nugent has often found himself at odds with liberals. However, he proudly embraces the label of being an "extremist" for his beliefs. Nugent told Failla, "I've always stood up radically – really extremist – for God, family, country, Constitution, Bill of Rights, Ten Commandments, golden rule, work ethic, law and order, all that really radical stuff, and that represents the heart and soul of the best, most passionate, most cocky, most fun people in the world."
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Aldean, too, has faced criticism for his beliefs in the past but remains unapologetic. After Country Music Television (CMT) pulled his song from circulation and critics accused him of promoting lynching, the song soared to number one on the charts and garnered support from Nugent and others who argue that it is about self-defense.
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Fans have rallied behind Aldean, calling for a boycott of CMT for removing the song from its network. Social media has become a battleground for supporters and critics of Aldean, with Twitter users voicing their opinions. Nugent expressed his support for Aldean, stating, "The reach of social media gets to good people all over the world, and all the good people in the world are saying what the Nugent family says: ‘Go, Jason, go… we salute you, and we stand with you.'"
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Aldean has also received support from country music stars Lee Greenwood and Travis Tritt, GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, former President Donald Trump, Arkansas Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who stated that the singer has "nothing to apologize for."
Among Aldean's critics is Tennessee state Rep. Justin Jones, who Forbes reports has voiced his disapproval. Comedian Andy Richter and singer Sheryl Crow have also criticized Aldean's song, with Crow describing it as "lame" and claiming that it promotes violence.
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The music video for "Try That In A Small Town" features footage from the 2020 riots following the death of George Floyd, which some argue is inflammatory. In response to the backlash, Aldean took to social media to address the accusations, stating, "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."
As the controversy surrounding "Try That In A Small Town" continues, Aldean's supporters, including Nugent, remain steadfast in their defense of the song's message of self-defense and protection of loved ones.
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