“Ain’t That America” singer John Mellencamp appeared to be sitting down for the national anthem during a football game.
Radio host for Outkick Dan Dakich shared a photo of what appeared to be Mellencamp sitting for “The Star-Spangled Banner” during a matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles game on Sunday.
“Mellencamp is one of America’s Greatest Frauds…always has been,” he tweeted.
Mellencamp is one of America’s Greatest Frauds…always has been https://t.co/Bhjpfll97b
— Dan Dakich (@dandakich) November 21, 2022
One user wrote, “Hey [John Mellencamp] care to explain this? Can’t even stand up for the National Anthem? You’re a real piece of work. And such a fraud.”
Hey @johnmellencamp care to explain this? Can’t even stand up for the National Anthem? You’re a real piece of work. And such a fraud pic.twitter.com/hmbIGMYv16
— Aaron Weimer (@The_Dean12) November 21, 2022
Another user added, “Ain’t that America…John Mellencamp shows zero respect.”
Ain’t that America…John Mellencamp shows zero respect. https://t.co/9VjmlEnZgR
— Michael 🇺🇸 (@Michael78794333) November 21, 2022
Read more reactions below:
#JohnMellencamp you need to stand up and respect your country https://t.co/AsMG5aWna4
— 🇺🇸 Nicholas L Looney 🇺🇸 (@nickers1287) November 21, 2022
Shame on @johnmellencamp …. Sitting & eating popcorn during The National Anthem! Disrespectful 🇺🇸
— DR Curry (@Dona_Curry) November 21, 2022
John Mellencamp sitting during the National Anthem at Colts game today. Embarrassing @johnmellencamp pic.twitter.com/SLebNz7rol
— Dave the king Wilson (@Ohmanitstheking) November 21, 2022
I have fought and bleed for my country show respect @johnmellencamp! At least for those of us that dead and bleed for her! If you don't like her you can always leave, you have plenty of money! https://t.co/8fVyGVFo9T
— Tim Baker (@phinsup252) November 21, 2022
John Mellencamp, America's greatest Loser. https://t.co/j4JSOH9zMY
— Thomas (@tlhkc1) November 21, 2022
https://twitter.com/QF16Zombie/status/1594728370151063552
John Mellencamp sits for national anthem before Colts-Eagles game – Fox News.
— Roy Reichelt III (@RoyReichelt) November 21, 2022
I guess all his songs about America were just lip service😡
🇺🇸stand for our national anthem https://t.co/FDf8Lt0mTL
In 2018, Mellencamp made headlines for kneeling after performing a political song on the “Late Show With Stephen Colbert.”
He knelt and lifted his fist into the air after performing “Easy Target,” with the lyrics, “In the street and the gutters/ The cotton fields in this land/ Here’s an easy target,” as The Associated Press reported.
Additionally, Mellencamp criticized the Trump administration for its response to former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial inequality.
“Taking the knee started purely and simply as a protest of racial and social injustice,” Mellencamp told the outlet.
He added, “Sadly it was politicized by the current administration. The song is simple and the protest is pure.”
Earlier this month, Mellencamp spoke out again against hatred and bigotry.
While speaking at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Mellencamp said, “Guys I cannot tell you how f**king important it is to speak out if you’re an artist. Whenever you hear hate speech or something derogatory about someone else … We’re all human things.”
He added, “I don’t give a f**k if you’re Jewish, Black, quiet, tutti frutti, I don’t care! Here’s the trick: silence is complicity. … I’m standing here tonight loudly and proudly and in solidarity with Allen, his family, all of my Jewish friends and the entire Jewish people of the world. F**k Antisemitism and f**k anybody who says anything in that manner.”
Mellencamp’s attorney, Allen Grubman, was inducted in the Hall of Fame with the Ahmet Ertegun award, acknowledging the work he has done in the music business.