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.

Close

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:

Who do you think would win the Presidency?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from LifeZette, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.

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)