Reba McEntire has distanced herself from a campaign fundraiser for South Dakota's Republican governor, Kristi Noem. The event invitation claimed the country star and the artist that discovered her, Red Steagall, would appear as special guests.
"Last night, an invitation to a political fundraiser with my name attached was sent out without my knowledge or permission," McEntire wrote on social media. "I had and have no plans to attend this event and had told the event organizers as such. Throughout my career, I have stated that I do not get involved in politics and that remains true today."
Stephen Sanchez, an Emmy-winning journalist for CBS News, broke the story on Thursday (June 10) by tweeting the ad for a June 13 event at the Spur Cross Ranch in Gallatin Gateway, Montana.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem will attend a BBQ fundraiser this Sunday in Montana, according to an invitation I obtained. Country music legend Reba McEntire is listed as a special guest. pic.twitter.com/g9L8TxLX2A
— Stephen Sanchez (@SSanchezTV) June 10, 2021
Gov. Noem has faced criticisms over the past 15 months for not enforcing a statewide mask mandate to stop the spread of the coronavirus and for championing the Trump administration's disputes of the 2020 presidential election results.
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During a 2017 appearance on The View, McEntire explained her personal "shut up and sing" philosophy.
"I take it this way: They have paid their hard-earned money to come in there and fill a seat — parking, getting something at the concession stand, go and eat before the concert — I am there to entertain them, to take their worries away from them, so when they walk out, they can kind of have a little lift in their step and [go], 'Aw, that was such a great break from all the problems I have to deal with during daily life.' So I'm not going to give them my political views," McEntire said. "That's not as important as this is my job to entertain. It shouldn't be my platform to be up on stage giving my political views."
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