The legendary entertainer Willie Nelson (above left) announced recently he’s headlining an event for liberal Texas Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke later this month — and this has not gone down well at all with a lot of people in the state and elsewhere, including fans of Ted Nugent (above right).
And that would include Ted Nugent himself.
Nelson — the singer of “Always on My Mind” and other big hits — has performed for politicians before, including former President Jimmy Carter, but this reportedly is the first time in his career that Willie Nelson will be performing on behalf of a politician.
“My wife Annie and I have met and spoken with Beto, and we share his concern for the direction things are headed. Beto embodies what is special about Texas, an energy and an integrity that is completely genuine,” Nelson said in a public statement about the upcoming event.
It’s slated to be held September 29 at the Auditorium Shores in Austin, Texas.
Here’s what Nugent had to say about Nelson’s political activities, in a scathing Facebook post (all punctuation and words exactly as he posted): “Heartbreakingly a lifetime of comfortably numb allows the brain & soul to abandon American & Texas values. Now Willie & his hippie gang joins the America/Texas/freedom hating loony left that wants to abolish borders, allow non/anti Americans to vote, provide sanctuary for criminals, abolish ICE, ban & confiscate guns, support invaders, welcome MS13 monsters, overtax productive Americans into oblivion & hasten our helldive into the new Venezuala. And you still think getting high is a victimless crime! WTF Willie! Crush this goofball & his commie sidekick Beto!”
Fans of both have been sharing their opinions on social media as well.
Here are just a few of the many comments on Twitter — from both sides — about the issue:
Dear Texas Progressives,
They have Ted Nugent. We have Willie Nelson. We win.
Sincerely,
Your Progressive Neighbors to the North— David (@ahzoov) September 13, 2018
Come on Texas, Ted Nugent is ok but Willie Nelson isn’t? Why would you support Cruz anyway? Don’t you remember that Trump told us Cruz’ dad assassinated JFK?
— Darrel Proffitt (@Darrel_Proffitt) September 13, 2018
I have long loved this man and his music. Cheer up, “conservatives” (many of you aren’t real conservatives — you’re just racists who’ve hijacked that word), you’ll always have Ted Nugent’s “music.” https://t.co/9vLvBL9wMD
— LKNWoman: human ??❄️ (@LKNWoman) September 13, 2018
Willie Nelson "fans" who are surprised to find out he's supporting a liberal candidate are as clueless as Ted Nugent fans surprised to find out he's an idiot.
— Brando (@Brandossius) September 14, 2018
Maybe Ted Nugent is more their speed? https://t.co/N7bv04qU2U
— Chuck Sudo (@bportseasoning) September 13, 2018
Willie Nelson has every right to support whatever candidate he chooses, just as many other country stars have stumped for Republicans. IMO, there's a big difference between backing someone you like, or attacking their opponent. The latter is what people like Ted Nugent do.
— Jambi (@UltraCougar) September 13, 2018
Anyone who knew Willie Nelson's history & music would not be surprised by this. And hey, conservatives still have Ted Nugent as well as Pat Boone. Have fun. https://t.co/MDSsIt9RZA
— Harvey G. Cohen (@CultrHack) September 13, 2018
The political event featuring Willie Nelson will also feature Joe Ely, Carrie Rodriguez and Tameca Jones. Nelson’s sons, Lukas and Mikah, are scheduled to appear as well.
O’Rourke and Nelson have an established relationship: The two performed together at O’Rourke’s annual 4th of July picnic concert earlier this year. O’Rourke played in punk bands in the 1990s. The Senate candidate plays guitar.
O’Rourke is running against Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).
Nelson, 85, has not been receiving warm notes from all fans for his very public support of O’Rourke.
People have been taking to Twitter and Facebook to give the country singer a piece of their mind. Check out these other comments in addition to the tweets above:
- “Goodbye, Willie, I don’t support socialist commies! You’re not going to advertise on my FB page either. Like we say in Texas, Now Git!”
- “That’s it, I’m done. What a disappointment.”
- “Good bye, Willie … you are not on the right side … take a look around you and do the right thing … I always thought you were a patriot … Wow, what a letdown. You would pick a socialist agenda and an anti-American fellow like BETO, shame on you.”
Others went after Nelson on Twitter, with some even suggesting a boycott was in order.
“Patriots, time to boycott any and all thing Willie Nelson. He is performing a benefit concert for Ted Cruz’s opponent, Beto O’Rourke. Let’s make this go viral! #BoycottWillie #BoycottWillie #BoycottNike,” wrote one user.
(photo credit, homepage and article images: Ted Nugent, CC BY-SA 2.0, Cropped/Cut Out, by Gage Skidmore)
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Anyone who votes Democrat in today’s world hates family,children ,God and the USA