Foto: Getty Images
Nate Smith took a moment to address his recent Instagram post that included a photo of the singer-songwriter holding up a Make America Great Again hat on stage.
Smith said it happened when he was on stage in Chicago, Illinois, days after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot while he speaking at an event at Utah Valley University. He was 31. Since then, many in the country community have paid tribute to Kirk, including Smith, Jason Aldean, RaeLynn, Lee Brice and more.
“This week was one none of us will ever forget,” Smith wrote in his caption as he shared photos by Wayne Ward and Kaiser Cunningham on Instagram. “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. 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. 🇺🇸”
Since then, Smith’s post has garnered more than 2,300 comments as of publication time on Tuesday (September 16). The “World on Fire” star took a moment to address it in a new clip:
“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, 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 it 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, and I also want to say I don’t know why it’s been so scary to just be who you are at all times. Like, 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 OK, you suck.’ Like, 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 changed my entire perspective. I just don’t even care anymore. I’m just gonna live my full, authentic self. And I found new fans. I’m so thankful for you guys. Thank you for coming on. Welcome. Welcome aboard. I’m happy to have you here. This is amazing. And I think we got a lot in common. It’s awesome. …I really believe that America is going to come into an incredible moment. Incredible moment where faith is just gonna be the big thing. People are gonna come to Jesus in droves. People are gonna start figuring out all this crazy stuff.”
“Thank you. I love you guys. Have a good day. Bye,” Smith said as he signed off. Watch it here: