Tim McGraw is exhausted by the divisiveness in the United States, and he is pretty sure he knows what is causing a lot of it. The father of three says the nonstop news, now available in a variety of ways, has done a huge disservice to people being tolerant and understanding of others and their opposing points of view.
“I think the 24-hour news cycle has the most to do with it,” McGraw tells Time. “And we’re always on these devices all the time and hearing stuff that’s not necessarily true or stuff that’s, just sort of this small segment, instead of hearing what the majority of people really think and feel. And I think for the most part, if we can get back to just realizing that we’re more alike than we are different…and I always try to just let my music speak to that.”
McGraw once thought he wanted to be a politician, and while he, as of now, no longer plans on pursuing politics as a secondary career, he has strong feelings about what has been happening, especially the Capitol riot that took place at the start of 2023.
“[January 6] was one of the saddest days in our country’s history, I believe,” McGraw says. “It was tough to watch. And I couldn’t believe that it had actually happened. And hopefully it will never happen again.”
The “Standing Room Only” singer endorsed Joe Biden in 2020, and although he doesn’t say who he will support in 2024, he makes certain that it won’t be former President Donald Trump.
“I’m not going to give [Trump] any air,” McGraw maintains. “From my perspective and my world, that’s just so far out there that I can’t even put words to it. I want what’s best for our country. I want what’s best for the majority of people in our country. I think that everybody deserves the right to live their life in the best way that they possibly can and to soar in the best way. I think that we certainly need to get back to some civility, on both sides.”
One of McGraw’s biggest political priorities, for whoever becomes the next President of the United States, is some form of gun control, one that, according to McGraw, makes sense for everyone.
“I’m a bird hunter,” McGraw said. “I grew up duck hunting in Louisiana. I still love to bird hunt. But I think there should be common sense policies. I think there should be some red flag laws. And I don’t see any issue with that. And I think most of America agrees with that. and I don’t understand why we can’t just all figure it out.
“But I’m not going to sit here and say I want to take everybody’s guns away,” he adds. “It really has nothing to do with the Second Amendment. It has everything to do with just good policy.”
McGraw’s Standing Room Only album was released in August. He will embark on his Standing Room Only Tour in March, with Carly Pearce serving as his opening act for all dates. Find all of McGraw’s music and upcoming shows at TimMcGraw.com.
