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George Strait paid homage to law enforcement officers in light of the recent alleged assassination attempt on Republican nominee Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024. The country singer, who performed at his sold-out show in Detroit that same day, played his song The Weight of the Badge, a track written to honor police officers and first responders.
“This song we’re gonna do is especially for all you men and women out there who wear the badge. Wanna say how much we appreciate you. Thank you for coming when we need you, when we call you. We appreciate that very much, especially after today,” he said before playing the song.
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While George Strait did not specifically mention the alleged assassination attempt, many alluded that the song was meant to pay tribute to the officials who acted quickly to prevent the situation from escalating any further, with the crowd chanting "USA, USA, USA."
The shooter, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was reportedly shot dead at the scene by Secret Service snipers. The bullet grazed Trump's right ear, with the former President adding that he felt it "ripping through the skin". In a statement on Truth Social, he added:
"Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin. Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening."
According to the BBC, Trump did not sustain any serious injuries, however, one person died and two others were injured as a result of Crooks's shooting.
George Strait's The Weight of the Badge is from his 2019 album
George Strait released The Weight of the Badge as the second single from his 2019 album Honky Tonk Time Machine. His son 'Bubba' and Dean Dillon, Strait's longtime collaborator, co-wrote the song with the country singer.
The song was written to pay tribute to the dedication and devotion of American police officers as they fight to keep citizens safe.
"He swore that oath to protect and serve/ Pours his heart and soul into both those words/ Lays his life on the line/ The line he walks is razor fine/ Tempered strength is always tough/ But he ain't gonna buckle/ Under the weight of the badge," the lyrics say.
George Strait also released a music video for the song on First Responder's Day, October 28, 2021. The music video starts with a police officer speaking about the dangers of the job accompanying the uniform, touching on the number of officers who leave their families in the morning and never return.
As the song continues, the video shows various police officers, firefighters, and first responders gearing up for their jobs, interspersed with people talking about their experiences as a first responder.
George Strait, aged 72, got the nickname 'King of Country Music' due to his longevity in the genre. The singer gained critical acclaim when his debut single Unwound became an instant hit after its release in 1981.
He holds the record for most No. 1 songs on the country charts by any country artist. George Strait's discography spans over four decades and includes 30 studio albums and 11 compilation albums.
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