Kacey Musgraves fires back at Kristi Noem over Texas Senate candidate endorsement
The singer replied on X after the former Homeland Security secretary posted a preference for rival artists and politicians.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Kacey Musgraves responded on X on Oct. 12, 2026, after former Homeland Security secretary and U.S. special envoy Kristi Noem posted a tweet favoring singer Ella Langley and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over Musgraves and Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico.
What happened
During Musgraves' Middle of Nowhere Tour stop at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on Oct. 10, 2026, James Talarico, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, attended the concert and posted a thank‑you message on X. Noem reposted the photos and wrote, “I’ll take [Ella Langley] over Kacey Musgraves any day. And if I’m choosin’ Texas, I’ll take Ken Paxton over James Talarico.” Musgraves replied later that day, writing, “I don’t think you have a dog in this fight but if you did you would have shot it,” referencing Noem’s earlier claim about killing her family dog.
What the reports add
Billboard noted that Noem’s comment linked to Langley’s hit “Choosin’ Texas,” which spent 24 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and that Musgraves made the reply on X after the concert. The Hollywood Reporter added that Noem’s tweet came amid personal controversy, mentioning her recent divorce filing following a cross‑dressing scandal reported by The Daily Mail.
What was said
Kristi Noem wrote on X, “I’ll take [Ella Langley] over Kacey Musgraves any day… And if I’m choosin’ Texas, I’ll take Ken Paxton over James Talarico,” as reported by both Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter.
Kacey Musgraves responded on X, “I don’t think you have a dog in this fight but if you did you would have shot it,” according to Billboard.
How it came about
The exchange stems from Musgraves’ decision to host Talarico at her Dallas concert, a move highlighted in her recent tour coverage. Earlier this week, Felo News reported on Ella Langley’s chart success and her “Choosin’ Texas” single (Ella Langley pauses Columbus concert to speak out against online bullies). The current feud adds a political dimension to the ongoing cultural conversation surrounding the Texas Senate race.
Key facts
- Kacey Musgraves replied to Kristi Noem's tweet on X on Oct. 12, 2026. (billboard.com)
- Kristi Noem posted a tweet preferring Ella Langley and Ken Paxton over Musgraves and James Talarico. (hollywoodreporter.com)
- James Talarico attended Musgraves' Dallas concert on Oct. 10, 2026, and thanked her on X. (hollywoodreporter.com)
- Musgraves' reply referenced Noem's earlier claim about killing her family dog. (billboard.com)
