Nashville-based country singer Aaron Lee Tasjan said eight people walked out of a concert in Galveston, Texas, when he performed his political song, “I Love America Better Than You”. He said he was not angry with them, arguing that an artist’s role is to create work that affects listeners and encourages reflection rather than simply entertain or sell merchandise.

Tasjan described the song as an attempt to illuminate aspects of American life rather than attack the United States or single out individuals. In a Facebook post, he thanked those who left for exercising their free will, while maintaining that honest songwriting and sparking conversation matter more to him than pleasing every audience member.