Just when you thought the controversy surrounding Natalie Maines and the Dixie Chicks was over, Maines has once again thrust the maligned country music group into the spotlight. Her latest rants come right on the heels of a new record and a newfound willingness by country radio to revoke the unofficial ban placed on the Dixie Chicks after Maines made remarks 12 years ago about sitting President George W. Bush’s invasion of Iraq. At that time, Maines told an audience in London that she was ashamed Bush hailed from the Dixie Chicks’ home state of Texas.
I get banned for not liking Bush and now Trump can practically put a hit out on Hillary and he's still all over country radio! Hypocrites!
— Natalie Maines (@1NatalieMaines) August 11, 2016
The fallout was immediate and brutal. Country radio stations refused to play the group, effectively killing their popular career. Some fans took to the streets outside of concert venues to burn the Dixie Chicks’ records. For her part, Maines never apologized. Now, Maines is lashing out with a series of Tweets that might once again put the Dixie Chicks in hot water.
On the anniversary of the infamous London concert Maines tweeted, “Just so you know, 12 years ago today, over half of this country had lost their minds and some questioned my knowitallness. #dummies.” She was apparently referring to history’s renewed take on the Iraq war and Bush’s legacy, a take that more closely resembles her own at the time. Most people today would agree that Bush’s decision to invade Iraq was at best ill-informed and at worst a death knell for the success of his presidency.
Enter Donald Trump, a presidential candidate that has done nothing to tamp down the fires of the outspoken Maines’ political opinions. She has even gone so far as to brand Trump supporters, many of whom also supported Bush and listen to country radio, as hypocrites.
“I get banned for not liking Bush and now Trump can practically put a hit out on Hillary and he’s still all over country radio! Hypocrites!” Maines tweeted. She also posted a series of pictures with captions which took aim at Trump and fellow Republican, Ted Cruz.
It is unclear how the other members of the Dixie Chicks feel about Maines’ brash political statements or how the latest outbursts will affect the Chicks’ comeback. As is usually the case with Maines, the world is forced to wait and see what she says next and observe the ramifications of her statements.