Additional Coverage:
Country Star Zach Bryan Continues String of Controversies with Anti-ICE Song, Past Incidents Resurface
Country music sensation Zach Bryan finds himself once again at the center of public debate, following the release of a snippet from an unreleased song that appears to condemn ICE raids. This latest entry adds to a growing list of controversies that have marked the artist’s career.
Bryan recently shared a short clip on Instagram of a new track titled “Bad News,” captioned “the fading of the red, white, and blue.” The lyrics directly reference Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), stating, “And ICE is gonna come bust down your door.”
Other lines in the song include, “My friends are all degenerates, but they’re all I got,” and “I heard the cops came, Cocky motherf—–s, ain’t they?” The song concludes with, “Got some bad news.
The fading of the red, white, and blue.”
The politically charged lyrics quickly drew a reaction from fellow country artist John Rich, who posted on X, “Nashville is full of guys like this,” in apparent criticism of Bryan’s stance.
This new song comes amidst a period of heightened scrutiny for Bryan, who has faced several public incidents in recent years:
Arrest for Obstruction of Justice: In September 2023, Bryan was arrested in Oklahoma for obstruction of an investigation. The incident occurred after his security guard was pulled over, and Bryan, who had stopped nearby, exited his vehicle.
He admitted to getting “too lippy” with the officer, ignoring commands to return to his car, and ultimately being taken to jail. Bryan later publicly apologized, calling his behavior “ridiculous and immature” and acknowledging he was “disrespectful.”
Emotional Abuse Allegations: The artist’s breakup with influencer Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia turned public and contentious in late 2024. After Bryan announced their separation on Instagram, LaPaglia revealed she was “completely blindsided.”
She later detailed allegations of emotional abuse on her YouTube channel and podcast, describing a cycle of being “built up, beat down, apologize over and over.” LaPaglia also claimed she was offered $12 million and a New York City apartment to remain silent about the relationship, an offer she publicly refused.
Taylor Swift/Kanye West Tweet: In September 2024, Bryan ignited a firestorm among fans by tweeting, “eagles > chiefs, Kanye > Taylor, who’s with me.” The deleted post, which referenced Swift’s relationship with Travis Kelce and her long-standing feud with Kanye West, led to Bryan deactivating his X account. He later apologized on Instagram, explaining he was “drunkenly comparing two records” and “speaking purely musically,” professing his respect for Swift’s artistry.
Festival Confrontation with Gavin Adcock: Last month, Bryan was captured on video attempting to confront fellow musician Gavin Adcock at the Born & Raised Festival. Bryan was seen yelling, “You want to fight like a man?
Open the gate,” before climbing over a fence and being restrained by security. Adcock later claimed Bryan had been seeking him out throughout the day and suggested Bryan was trying to create a “bad a–” narrative, which Adcock refused to engage in due to potential legal repercussions and a desire not to disappoint his fans.
Kansas City Chiefs Remarks: In August, Bryan, a known Philadelphia Eagles fan, sparked backlash by tweeting about the Kansas City Chiefs’ failure to achieve a “three-peat” Super Bowl victory. After a fan pointed out that Kansas City frequently sells out his shows, Bryan made a now-deleted remark stating, “Please understand I will never play in Kansas City.” This comment was later contradicted by his past performances in the city in 2021, 2023, and 2024.
Concert Conduct: Last November, Bryan paused a concert in Washington to address a fan who threw an object on stage. He sternly asked, “Who threw this?…
Don’t throw s— at concerts, huh?” and warned that if the culprit was identified, they would be removed from the venue.
As Zach Bryan continues to navigate his burgeoning career, these incidents highlight a pattern of public clashes and strong opinions that consistently draw significant attention.