Ludacris has withdrawn from “Rock the Country," a pro-America festival dubbed the “MAGA Music Fest,” after fans slammed his inclusion on the lineup.
Earlier this week, Ludacris' name appeared on the festival poster alongside Nelly and a largely country roster led by Kid Rock and Jason Aldean, artists closely associated with conservative and pro-Trump politics.
Many fans took to social media to criticize Ludacris and Nelly for appearing to participate in the MAGA-aligned tour. While the festival is not explicitly political, The New York Times previously described "Rock the Country" as “a vision of the MAGA movement in pure party mode,” noting that the shows felt like Trump rallies.
By Friday (January 16), Ludacris' name was removed from the lineup. A representative for “Rock the Country” confirmed to Rolling Stone that Ludacris is no longer part of the festival. A rep for the rapper said the situation was a “mix up,” adding that “lines got crossed and he wasn’t supposed to be on there.”
Nelly remains on the lineup. He previously performed during the tour’s inaugural run in 2024 and Trump's inauguration last year. Following backlash from his performance, Nelly defended his appearance as an expression of patriotism.
The 2026 “Rock the Country” tour is still scheduled to feature major acts including Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Blake Shelton, and Miranda Lambert.
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