“Setting the Record Straight: Tom Selleck’s Non-Support of Jason Aldean’s ‘Try That in a Small Town’ Video”

Tom Selleck Did Not Support Jason Aldean’s ‘Try That in a Small Town’ Video: A Clarification

In August 2023, an article circulated online claiming that actor Tom Selleck expressed support for country singer Jason Aldean’s song “Try That in a Small Town.” The article, with the headline “Tom Selleck Speaks Out In Support of Jason Aldean: ‘I’m From a Small Town,'” inaccurately portrayed Selleck as endorsing a song that has sparked significant controversy.

The piece claimed:

Tom Selleck, a well-known figure in Hollywood, is characterized as a staunch conservative. According to the article, he publicly backed Aldean’s song, stating, “I grew up in a small town, and let me tell you, Jason’s song was spot on.” The article suggested that his remarks were met with criticism from his peers, but Selleck allegedly remained unfazed, emphasizing his commitment to his own values.

It went on to assert that Aldean reached out to Selleck, thanking him with an autographed thumb drive of the song and an unedited version of the music video.

However, this article was not based on real events. It originated from a website known for its satirical content. The Dunning-Kruger Times is part of the America’s Last Line of Defense network and explicitly states on its “About Us” page that it publishes “parody, satire, and tomfoolery.” They clarify that everything on the site is fictional and any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental.

In reality, Tom Selleck did not make any comments regarding Aldean or the song in question. The article even included humorous and fictitious details about Selleck’s life, such as claims about his name and education, all meant to entertain rather than inform.

In late July to early August 2023, Aldean faced backlash after the release of the music video for “Try That in a Small Town.” While Aldean presented it as a tribute to small-town values, critics accused it of promoting racist vigilantism and glorifying violence. Notably, the video was filmed outside a courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee, linked to a historical lynching.

Aldean defended himself on Twitter, denying the allegations and stating that the interpretations of his song were “meritless” and “dangerous.”

Tom Selleck has identified as a registered independent with libertarian leanings and has never publicly supported Aldean’s views. In fact, he has distanced himself from controversial political figures.

Given the satirical nature of the article, this claim is clearly labeled as satire.