Beyoncé’s grand return to the stage came with a mix of excitement and controversy as she opened her highly anticipated Cowboy Carter tour at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
While the spectacle had fans on their feet, one surprising song choice stirred up an online storm: The Star-Spangled Banner.
The 43-year-old icon included the U.S. national anthem in her setlist, and while some saw it as powerful, others were not impressed—especially given the current political climate in America.
The moment, though brief, has quickly become one of the most talked-about parts of the show.
Fans Split Over Patriotic Performance
The inclusion of the anthem divided fans deeply across social media. Some felt Beyoncé’s decision was ill-timed, accusing her of aligning with nationalistic values during a period when many are criticizing the U.S. government.
One user slammed, “She’s honoring American nationalism while babies are being deported. Total sellout behavior.”
Another echoed the sentiment, writing, “Why perform the anthem when Trump and Elon Musk are dragging the country through chaos? The world is disgusted with America right now.”
Others went even further, suggesting Beyoncé looked like she was supporting conservative values.
“She looks like a Republican now,” one user wrote, while another declared, “Any Black person in that crowd should be asking for a refund immediately.”
Accusations of Being Out of Touch
Critics also questioned the decision to use Americana themes at a time of global unrest.
One tweet read, “Performing the national anthem while the U.S. continues its violent actions overseas is a tone-deaf move. It’s either ignorance or she just doesn’t care anymore.”
Another user added, “Beyoncé should at least consider partial refunds for fans. Read the room, Queen.”
Others See Artistic Brilliance Behind the Choice
Despite the backlash, plenty of fans have come to Beyoncé’s defense.
Some believe her choice to merge The Star-Spangled Banner with her track Freedom was a powerful political statement.
“You’re missing the point if you think she’s just singing the anthem,” one supporter wrote.
“She cuts into ‘Freedom’—a song that became a protest anthem after George Floyd’s murder. This is art, not allegiance.”
Others described the performance as nothing short of magical.
“Soulful, stirring, unforgettable,” a fan gushed, praising the emotional weight Beyoncé brought to the stage.
Beyoncé Brings Family to the Stage
In the middle of all the drama, Beyoncé gave fans a heartwarming surprise by bringing out her 7-year-old daughter Rumi alongside big sister Blue Ivy, 13.
The rare appearance marked a special family moment in the show.
Interestingly, her son Sir Carter, Rumi’s twin, was noticeably absent—part of Beyoncé’s ongoing effort to keep him out of the public eye.
Ticket Sales Stir More Concern
While her tour has generated major buzz, some insiders fear Beyoncé might be facing an uphill battle when it comes to ticket sales.
Despite winning her first Grammy for Album of the Year for Cowboy Carter, her team has reportedly struggled to fill seats in some venues.
Just hours before the SoFi Stadium opener, Ticketmaster showed over 3,000 seats still available.
Fans have also expressed frustration over the steep ticket prices, which ranged from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.
But not all seats are costly—one attendee recently found resale tickets in the nosebleed section for just $20, joking that they cost the same as a limited-edition Big Mac meal from McDonald’s.
So, What’s Next for Queen Bey?
With shows lined up across the U.S. and Europe, Beyoncé is set to wrap her Cowboy Carter tour in Las Vegas on July 26.
Whether the anthem drama continues to overshadow the music remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: Beyoncé is no stranger to sparking conversations.