Country music star Jason Aldean's latest music video for "Try That In a Small Town" has ignited a firestorm of controversy, prompting CMT to pull the video while simultaneously garnering support from prominent figures like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The video, which incorporates news footage of the 2020 riots following George Floyd's death, has drawn criticism for its content and filming location—the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee, a site with a troubled racial history. Aldean has defended the video, denying accusations that it promotes violence and calling such claims "meritless and dangerous."

Aldean's video has quickly amassed millions of views on YouTube since its release. While CMT has not publicly elaborated on their decision to remove the video, some critics have labeled the song as "pro-lynching." This claim stems from the historical context of the courthouse, which was the location of both a race riot and a lynching.

Governor DeSantis, a key figure in the Republican presidential primary race, publicly backed Aldean on social media, stating, "When the media attacks you, you’re doing something right. @Jason_Aldean has nothing to apologize for." Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders echoed this sentiment, criticizing those who prioritize outrage over the song over addressing the issue of crime itself. She also accused CMT of succumbing to "the liberal mob."

Other prominent Republicans have also rallied behind Aldean, including presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who praised the song for upholding traditional American values and condemned what he perceives as censorship and cancel culture. Donald Trump Jr. similarly expressed his support for Aldean and encouraged his followers to engage with the video. The controversy surrounding the video has sparked a broader debate about freedom of expression, political messaging in music, and the role of media in shaping public discourse.