Everyone wants to put Zach Bryan in a box. It's just what we do now. If you wear a cowboy hat and sing about Oklahoma, the world assumes you’re voting red. If you defend trans rights on Twitter or write a song that makes ICE agents look like the bad guys, the internet decides you’re a card-carrying liberal.
But honestly? Zach Bryan doesn't want your labels.
The "Something in the Orange" singer has spent the last few years becoming the biggest thing in country music while simultaneously dodging every political litmus test thrown his way. It’s a weird spot to be in. He’s a Navy veteran with a massive following in rural America, yet he’s constantly at odds with the conservative establishment. If you're trying to figure out is Zach Bryan a democrat or republican, the answer is basically "neither," but the "why" is a lot more interesting than the "who."
The "Bad News" Controversy and the 2025 Fallout
Things got messy recently. In late 2025, Zach teased a snippet of an unreleased track called "Bad News." The lyrics were pretty blunt. He sang about ICE agents busting down doors and kids being left "scared and all alone."
The backlash was instant.
The White House—under the Trump administration in 2025—didn't hold back. A spokesperson actually issued a statement saying Zach wanted to "open the gates to criminal illegal aliens." Even the Department of Homeland Security joined in, trolling him by posting videos of arrests set to his song "Revival." It was a surreal moment where a country music star was being publicly scolded by the federal government.
👉 See also: Martha Stewart Young Modeling: What Most People Get Wrong
Zach’s response? He went on Instagram and called himself a "29-year-old man who is just as confused" as the rest of us. He explicitly stated, "Left wing or right wing we’re all one bird and American. To be clear I’m on neither of these radical sides."
Why the Right Thinks He's "Woke"
For a long time, the conservative wing of country music assumed Zach was one of them. He’s a veteran. He’s from Oologah, Oklahoma. He writes songs that feel like dirt roads and late nights. But he keeps breaking the "rules" of the modern GOP-aligned country scene.
- The Bud Light Incident: When the Bud Light/Dylan Mulvaney drama exploded in 2023, Zach didn't join the boycott. Instead, he tweeted that insulting transgender people is "completely wrong."
- The ICE Lyrics: His criticism of immigration raids in "Bad News" felt like a direct shot at the 2025 mass deportation policies.
- The "Anti-Trump" Perception: While he has been seen in photos with Donald Trump in the past, he’s also been vocal about not supporting the "performative" nature of modern politics. In 2024, he went on record saying he didn't support either Trump or Biden.
Because of this, figures like Kristi Noem have publicly boycotted him, claiming he’s "compromised" his values. To a certain segment of the population, if you aren't 100% on board with the platform, you're the enemy.
Why the Left Doesn't Quite Claim Him Either
If you think the Democrats have found a new icon in Zach, think again. He’s not out there headlining blue rallies or endorsing progressive candidates.
He’s previously described himself as a "total libertarian." That’s a key distinction. Libertarians usually hate government overreach regardless of who is in charge. When he critiques ICE, he isn't necessarily advocating for open borders; he’s often expressing a "leave people alone" sentiment that is deeply rooted in his personal philosophy.
✨ Don't miss: Ethan Slater and Frankie Grande: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
He also gets heat from the left for being "both sides-y." After the ICE controversy, many people on Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) called him a coward for saying "we're all one bird" instead of picking a side. To the highly political crowd, his refusal to be a partisan weapon feels like a cop-out.
Breaking Down the Zach Bryan "Platform"
Since we can't just give him a party affiliation, we have to look at what he actually says. His "politics" are more like a collection of gut feelings than a legislative agenda.
1. Radical Individualism
Zach seems to believe people should be allowed to be whoever they want to be. This is why he defends trans people. It’s not necessarily about liberal ideology; it’s about the American idea that you should mind your own business and let your neighbor live their life.
2. Distrust of Authority
Whether it’s the Nashville music machine or a highway patrolman in Oklahoma (remember his 2023 arrest?), Zach has a history of clashing with people in power. His arrest for "obstruction of justice" after getting heated with a state trooper showed a man who doesn't like being told what to do, even if he later apologized for being out of line.
3. Patriotism Without Partisanship
He talks about his military service a lot. He’s proud of it. But he views patriotism as a love for the people and the land, not the government. This is why he can love America and still write a song about how the "red, white and blue is fading" because of how we treat each other.
🔗 Read more: Leonardo DiCaprio Met Gala: What Really Happened with His Secret Debut
The Reality of Being a Centrist in 2026
In 2026, being a centrist or a libertarian feels like standing in the middle of a freeway. You're going to get hit from both directions.
Zach Bryan is living proof of that. He’s too "woke" for the MAGA crowd because he has empathy for immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals. He’s too "conservative" for the progressive crowd because he’s a veteran who loves his country and refuses to use his platform to stump for Democratic candidates.
Honestly, his fan base is just as divided as his lyrics. Go to a Zach Bryan show and you'll see guys in "Make America Great Again" hats standing next to kids in pride flags. It’s one of the few places in American culture where that still happens.
What This Means for You
If you’re looking for a reason to hate him or love him based on his voting record, you’re probably going to be disappointed. He likely isn't going to tell you who he's voting for.
Instead of trying to pin him down, the best way to understand his stance is to:
- Listen to the full songs: He constantly complains that snippets on social media are used as weapons. Wait for the full context of tracks like "Bad News" before deciding what he believes.
- Expect inconsistency: He’s a songwriter, not a politician. He’s going to feel one way on Tuesday and another way on Friday. That’s what makes his music feel human.
- Look at his actions, not the headlines: He spends more time talking about helping his friends and being a good person than he does talking about tax brackets or foreign policy.
Zach Bryan is a reminder that you don't have to be a Democrat or a Republican to be an American. You can just be a guy from Oklahoma who’s worried about where the country is headed.
Next Step: Take a look at the lyrics for "Pink Skies" or "Oklahoma Smokeshow." You'll notice they focus on grief, family, and the struggles of small-town life—themes that matter way more to Zach than any political party ever will.