Beyoncé’s new tour kicked off with a VIP brawl, and many fans are asking for refunds over a seemingly patriotic setlist decision.

Following her Grammy Award-winning “Country Album of the Year” that appeared to out the music industry “in a big way,” the Texas-born entertainer embarked on her Cowboy Carter Tour. Monday’s opening night at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California, set off fireworks for attendees and onlookers alike, especially over her rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Readily considered a political statement as she transitioned into her song “Freedom,” the activist favorite that had been used by then-Vice President Kamala Harris’ second failed White House bid, Beyoncé’s version of the national anthem included an all red, all-caps message encouraging attendees to “Never ask permission for something that already belongs to you.”

While some picked up on the messaging, encouraging others that “this was pretty intentional,” many couldn’t get past their own radical inclinations.

Between railing over the return of President Donald Trump to the White House and America’s support for Israel that included — albeit conditionally — actions under the Biden-Harris administration, reactions slammed the singer as a “propagandist…using aesthetics for profit” while many called for refunds to be issued to attendees.

“[S]inging the national anthem while our country commits atrocity after atrocity in the middle east and global south. going on a tour using americana aesthetics especially during a time like this… disgusting actually. tone deaf as f*ck or she literally just doesn’t care [sic],” read one raging commentary.

Hell nah all the Black ppl in the crowd need to request a refund immediately

— Khi (@HarajukuKhi) April 29, 2025

So yes she is a propagandist this confirms it. She’s proving people right about what they said back in 2016 about using aesthetics for profit, you cannot claim to be like Malcom X and quote him for your songs then waive the American flag. Contradictory.

— scorpihoe (@___malaikaaab) April 29, 2025

beyonce built a whole brand around “black excellence” nd “freedom” yet had no problem singing the national anthem written by a slave owner that literally celebrates the death of enslaved people.. u can’t preach liberation while cosigning a song rooted in black oppression

— ִֶָ (@kaliuched) April 29, 2025

Honoring American Nationalism while Trump’s deporting babies. She’s a sellout

— BLOODLINE SAGA (@Rockstar82vansh) April 29, 2025

trust me this was pretty intentional

— Luna (@Lil_Luna_IRLz) April 30, 2025

cowboy carter’s goal to the public is not to glorify america’s misdeeds, but more so show black history and embrace it. if you look at the credits for the album, many black historical artists are cited. it’s an archive, rather than propaganda imo.

— ʙᴜᴛᴄʜ ꜱɴᴏᴏᴘʏ ᴄᴇᴏ ♠️ (@venothebutch) April 29, 2025

Of course, the heated responses on X weren’t the only fiery displays related to the opening show on the tour. Elsewhere, onlookers captured an argument that found a number of denim-clad attendees throwing hands and piling onto the floor in the VIP lounge at the end of the show.

Captured mid-argument, a woman in a cowboy hat could be seen arguing with another in a denim outfit reminiscent of chaps while another woman kept them separated. As the woman in the hat attempted to walk away from the situation, her accessory was knocked clean off her head before the same denim-clad aggressor could be seen shoving another woman to the ground.

After a man stepped in to protect the woman whose hat had been knocked off, the fight appeared to fizzle out as those involved began to separate and go their own way.

The Daily Mail reached out to SoFi Stadium for comment, but at the time of this post, it was not readily apparent what had triggered the conflict or if any arrests had been made. This was only the first night of the tour lasting through July 26 for an award-winning album that left John Rich calling out the Grammys and other award shows as he pointed out that when it comes to singing Country music, Beyoncé “doesn’t.”

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Kevin Haggerty

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Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.

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