Trump, guns and political anthems: How country music went to war with itself

Sign up to Roisin O’Connor’s free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy I think what we’re seeing in country music is a direct representation of what’s happening in America,” says Florida-born country singer Brooke Eden. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial Sign up open image in gallery First Lady Melania Trump, President Donald Trump former President Barack Obama and Michelle on the East front steps of the US Capitol after inauguration ceremonies on January 20, 2017 in Washington, DC In 2017, all eyes were on Trump’s inauguration stage, as it became clear the newly elected president was struggling to find anyone with sufficient star power to perform. open image in gallery Jason Aldean in the video for ‘Try That in a Small Town' Just three months after Aldean’s single, newcomer Oliver Anthony dropped “Rich Men North of Richmond”, with lyrics complaining about taxes, “welfare cheats” and obese people. And here I am, 26, having these feelings for the first time and not allowed to talk about it.” open image in gallery Country singer Brooke Eden: ‘I’ve seen what love and conversations can do’ Eden pretty much “shut down”, even as her career was taking off, feeling as though she’d been forced to trade her integrity and authenticity in for success.