Photo Credit: Matthew Whittkopp / CC by 2.0
Country music star Carrie Underwood is facing backlash for liking anti-mask tweets.
Underwood liked a tweet shared by Matt Walsh, which contains video footage of a Nashville school board meeting. Walsh is a conservative who speaks out against “the cruel and indefensible mask mandate for children.” During the speech, Walsh calls a mask mandate for kids child abuse.
Walsh argues that forcing kids to wear a mask is like treating them like rabid dogs with muzzles. “It’s a disgrace and you should all be ashamed,” Walsh says at the end of the video clip.
Carrie Underwood liked the video, which sparked outrage online.
“Seeing people react to Carrie Underwood being an anti-vaxxer makes me glad legend Dolly Parton helped bankroll one and two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Stevie Nicks has been pushing for masks, vaccines, and social distancing all along,” writes one Twitter user in response.
“Carrie Underwood is an anti-masker. She’s canceled in my book. Who else’s?” reads another tweet. “I just deleted all of Carrie Underwood songs from my Spotify. I’m not supporting that!” says another.
“Carrie Underwood liked my video and now the mob is coming for her,” tweeted Walsh. “She should know better than to like something that they don’t like. This is an unforgivable sin.”
Carrie Underwood herself has not acknowledged the controversy as it has brewed on Twitter. Meanwhile, country legend Garth Brooks has canceled several concert dates on his tour.
“In July, I sincerely thought the pandemic was falling behind us. Now, watching this new wave, I realize we are still in the fight and I must do my part,” the country singer said in a statement.
Brooks restarted his tour in July and was set to perform in Cincinnati, Charlotte, Baltimore, Foxborough, and Nashville. Now those dates will be rescheduled “when this wave seems to be over and behind us,” the announcement reads.
The 350,000 tickets for the five shows affected will be refunded. Brooks told fans that he wants to provide the best experience ever “and the safest one we can provide.”
“The joy I have seen in everyone’s faces as live music returns have been more than worth our constant diligence to maintain safety protocols not only for the fans but for our band, the crew, and the hard-working staff in these stadiums.”
