During his sold-out show in Detroit, Mich. on Saturday (July 13), George Strait appeared to reference the alleged assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump.

Just hours after a gunman opened fire at a Trump campaign rally, injuring the former president and killing a spectactor, Strait took the stage at Detroit’s Ford Field on a bill that also included Chris Stapleton.

As he introduced his song “The Weight of the Badge” — which celebrates police officers and other first responders — Strait gave a special hat-tip to any law enforcement officers at the show.

“This song we’re gonna do especially for all you men and women out there that wear the badge,” Strait said from the stage, according to video filmed from the audience. “[To say] how much we appreciate you.

“Thank you for coming when we need you. We appreciate that very much, especially after today,” he added.

@GeorgeStrait to police officers, apparently referencing the Trump shooting:

“Thank you for coming when we need you. We appreciate that very much, especially after today.”

The crowd stood with applause, chanting “USA, USA, USA.” 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/2c0pibzN8H

— Logan Washburn (@loganwashburn76) July 14, 2024

“The Weight of the Badge” comes off Strait’s 2019 Honky Tonk Time Machine album, and it’s one of his most popular new songs. Still, the crowd gave the song an even more rousing welcome than usual in light of the shooting, and chants of “U.S.A.! U.S.A.!” could be heard ringing throughout the stadium.
Strait didn’t explicitly mention Trump or the shooting, but according to the Detroit Free Press, the incident was on concertgoers’ minds, as the first reports began coming in while fans were filing to their seats.