Nate Smith Addresses His ‘MAGA Post,’ Promises To Be His ‘Full Authentic Self’ Moving Forward
“I think everything that happened in the world recently just changed my whole entire perspective where I’m like, ‘I just don’t even care anymore.'”
Photo Courtesy Nate Smith
Nate Smith says he’s done hiding who he is and is now stepping fully into his career living authentically. The moment that changed everything came over the weekend in Chicago, when he put on a “Make America Great Again” hat on stage, a gesture that gave him an overwhelming sense of patriotism.
Sharing a video on social media, Smith reflected on that moment and how it shifted his perspective:
“I just wanted to say thank you for all the love on the post that I just posted, you know which post I’m talking about. Truthfully, that was the proudest moment of my entire career so far. Not even a question…because being on stage in Chicago, getting handed that hat, being able to put it on, being able to live fully authentic to who I am in front of everybody just felt right and it felt good and felt free. And I’ll tell you what, I’ve never felt more spirit of America, spirit of patriotism in my entire life than I did on that stage. It was unbelievable. And I just want to say thank you for that,” he shared.
“I also want to say, I don’t know why it’s been so scary to just be who you are at all times. Why is it so scary to be like, ‘yep, I voted for Trump.’ Cool. ‘Yep, I’m a conservative.’ Cool. Yep. I think what happened to Charlie Kirk is wrong. And anybody who says that it’s okay, you suck. Why is that such a hard thing to say on a public forum? It’s not. It’s not. So I think everything that happened in the world recently just changed my whole entire perspective where I’m like, ‘I just don’t even care anymore.’ I’m just going to live my full authentic self and I found new fans. I’m so thankful for you guys.”
Smith went on to share his hope for the country: “I really believe that America is going to come into an incredible moment…where faith is going to just be the big thing. People are going to come to Jesus in droves. People are going to start figuring out all this crazy stuff.”
Smith initially reflected on the moment in an Instagram post, sending thoughts and prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family following his assassination.
“This week was one none of us will ever forget. Continue to join me in prayer for the Kirk family. America truly is grieving. However, what I witnessed over the last few days I’ve seen a strength in America that moves me to tears,” he wrote. “I’ve seen a boldness and a courage, and an unapologetic approach to standing firm on the side of truth. America is alive and well friends. Let’s continue to make it great again.”
In the days after Kirk’s death, numerous country artists, including Jason Aldean, Morgan Wallen, Jamey Johnson, and Justin Moore, have expressed condolences online and from the stage.
Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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