How did one song meant to unite a nation become a symbol of division and discord?
At a Glance
- Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” is being criticized by progressives as a “divisive” political anthem.
- Greenwood has always maintained the song is “apolitical” and was intended to promote unity.
- The song has been a staple of Republican political events since the Reagan era and is now an anthem of the MAGA movement.
- Greenwood recently identified illegal immigration as the “greatest threat” to the patriotic, Christian values he believes define America.
An Anthem of Unity
For four decades, Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” has served as one of America’s most beloved and unofficial national anthems. Written by Greenwood on his tour bus in 1983, the song was a heartfelt expression of national pride. “‘USA’ is the song I always felt the need to write,” Greenwood said in a recent interview with Cowboys & Indians magazine. “I wanted to have something that would unite Americans from coast to coast. I wanted to instill pride back in the United States.”
The song’s powerful message has made it a centerpiece of American culture, from presidential inaugurations to naturalization ceremonies. Its resonance was never more powerful than in the days following the 9/11 attacks, when it became a true anthem of national unity and resolve.
A Manufactured Controversy?
Despite its unifying origins, the song has increasingly come under attack from progressive critics who now claim it is a “divisive” political symbol. They argue that its frequent use at Republican events, from Ronald Reagan’s 1984 campaign to President Donald Trump’s modern-day rallies, has inextricably tied it to a conservative ideology.
“How did a song about togetherness and the diversity of the country become tied to a party and a candidate that’s often represented division and chaos?” New York Times political reporter Astead W. Herndon lamented in a podcast episode highlighted by Religion Dispatches.
A Patriot Speaks
While critics on the left attempt to politicize his anthem, Lee Greenwood himself has never been shy about his traditional conservative values. In a recent interview with Fox News, he identified what he sees as the greatest threat facing the country today: illegal immigration.
Country musician Lee Greenwood dismissed the criticism he is receiving for selling “God Bless the USA” Bibles in partnership with former President Trump.
“I think it’s just from the Trump haters.." he said. https://t.co/iLfO6zVgkA
— The Hill (@thehill) March 28, 2024
“If illegal immigrants are allowed to vote, it will change the complexion of who we are,” Greenwood stated bluntly. “And believe me, there’s a silent majority who believe that we are still all Christian, we’re patriotic, and we want to retain America as the greatest country on earth, and that’s my greatest threat.” His words reflect a sentiment shared by millions of Americans who see unchecked immigration as a danger to the nation’s cultural and political identity. The attempt to cancel a song that champions these values is seen by many as an attack on patriotism itself.
