Country music’s latest online dust-up is serving up more spice than a roadside chili dog.
Jason Aldean had a blunt—and biting—response after fellow country star Zach Bryan continued criticizing the Turning Point USA alternative halftime show that streamed during Super Bowl LX earlier this month.
The drama began after Bryan took aim at Aldean and Brantley Gilbert, who performed “Dirt Road Anthem” during the Feb. 8 TPUSA event. The alternative show, which featured Gilbert, Kid Rock, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett, aired on YouTube at the same time Bad Bunny headlined the official Super Bowl halftime performance.
Bryan, known for his breakout hit “Something in the Orange,” posted a parody video of himself and Harley Carmichael spoofing Gilbert’s song. In the clip, Bryan swapped out lyrics for a tongue-in-cheek refrain: “Chili on a hot dog, talkin’ ’bout chili on a hot dog.”
Gilbert appeared unfazed. He responded with a playful Instagram video of himself eating a chili dog, captioning it: “@zachlanebryan, you can climb all the fences you want, you’re not getting my chili dog.” The remark referenced a separate viral video of Bryan climbing a fence during a reported argument with fellow country singer Gavin Adcock.
But it was Aldean’s comment that quickly grabbed attention.
“Best song I’ve heard from that guy,” Aldean quipped in the comments section, delivering a dry jab at Bryan’s parody performance.
The exchange followed Bryan’s earlier criticism of the TPUSA halftime production. In an Instagram Story, Bryan mocked the alternative event, posting a clip of a friend watching the TPUSA stream on a phone while pretending to ignore Bad Bunny’s televised halftime show in the background. “What Kid Rock actually thinks is happening across America,” Bryan wrote, according to Whiskey Riff.
Bryan also shared a harsh direct message from a fan accusing him of becoming a “Hollywood sell out.” He responded broadly, writing: “I don’t care what side you’re on, a bunch of adults throwing temper tantrums and their own halftime show is embarrassing as hell and the most cringe s— on the planet.”
The backlash was swift. Some fans questioned Bryan’s patriotism and motives, suggesting jealousy may have fueled his comments. Others accused him of abandoning the down-to-earth persona that helped build his following.
