On September 9, 2024, Kacey Musgraves performed at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, as part of her “Deeper Well” tour. The singer-songwriter is known for her candid opinions and political activism. Her recent comments on Italian explorer Christopher Columbus generated considerable attention.
While performing at the American Airlines Center in Texas, Musgraves addressed the audience the night before Columbus Day. Responding to their reactions, she expressed her disapproval of Columbus. “Tomorrow’s Monday?… Ew, that’s right, wait, it’s Columbus Day? It’s what now?” she asked, before acknowledging the audience’s correction to “Indigenous People’s Day.” Musgraves continued, “Yeah, no yeah yeah, actually, obviously f— Columbus. Literally the lamest person to probably ever exist. Like for real. What a loser,” she remarked. “You’re a loser, Christopher Columbus, we hate you!”
Columbus is credited with voyages that opened the Americas to European exploration but has faced criticism for his treatment of Indigenous populations and initiating colonization. This has sparked ongoing debates about celebrating his legacy. Musgraves is no stranger to political activism. In August, she encouraged her fans to donate to the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, highlighting its assistance to children separated from deported parents. “It’s a wonderful organization, and they help give aid — legal aid — and money to children whose parents have been deported unfairly,” Musgraves said. “It’s not a political thing. It’s just, these kids need help.”
Recently, Newsweek covered Musgraves hosting Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico at a concert in Dallas, where she criticized former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Meanwhile, Theo Wold, a former White House deputy assistant under President Donald Trump, defended Columbus. Wold commented to Fox News Digital, “Obviously, no one expects a corporate-backed recording star to know a damn thing about world history… The real problem is the abysmal educational standards of our public schools… Columbus was a courageous adventurer and ahead-of-his-time navigator to whom we owe much of the prosperity we now enjoy. The kind of prosperity that makes it possible for Musgraves to rake in millions while spouting uneducated hot takes with no basis in reality.”
Christopher Columbus remains a controversial figure, with discussions about his legacy intensifying around national holidays. Musgraves continues to use her platform for social and political commentary, whether it’s addressing immigration rights or engaging in cultural debates.
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