Kacey Musgraves Responds to Kristi Noem Over Texas Senate Race

Kacey Musgraves responded to Kristi Noem after the singer hosted U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico at her Dallas concert during the Middle of Nowhere Tour, sparking a political exchange involving the Texas Senate race. According to the Hollywood Reporter and the Houston Chronicle, Talarico attended Musgraves' Dallas show on Saturday, while Noem later criticized the appearance on X while promoting Republican candidate Ken Paxton.

Musgraves has previously spoken about her willingness to express political views during performances. At an Oct. 8 concert in Austin, she addressed supporters about her public positions.

"You may not agree with everything that I say, but what I do want to say is that everything that I do, stand up for, choose to put myself on the line for, it's because I believe it with my heart," said Kacey Musgraves, singer.

Musgraves continued discussing her approach to public advocacy during the Austin performance before describing her broader goal for audiences. "At the end of the day, I just want to bring people together," said Kacey Musgraves, singer.

Noem, a former Secretary of Homeland Security who previously represented South Dakota in the House of Representatives, used Talarico's concert appearance to promote her preferred candidate in the Senate contest. "I'll take [Ella Langley] over Kacey Musgraves any day," said Kristi Noem, former Secretary of Homeland Security.

Noem followed that statement with another comment comparing her preference in the Texas Senate race, according to the Houston Chronicle. "And if I'm choosin' Texas, I'll take Ken Paxton over James Talarico," said Kristi Noem, former Secretary of Homeland Security. Musgraves replied to Noem's comments by referencing a controversy from Noem's 2024 book, No Going Back, in which she described killing her family's dog, Cricket, over what she called its aggressive personality.

"I don't think you have a dog in this fight but if you did you would have shot it," said Kacey Musgraves, singer.

The Houston Chronicle reported that Talarico had returned to public events after a nine-day absence from the campaign trail, appearing at Austin City Limits Music Festival on Friday before attending Musgraves' Dallas concert.