Oliver Anthony Responds to Debate Question, Reveals Who ‘Rich Men’ Song Is About, Clarifies His Politics

“Rich Men North of Richmond” singer Oliver Anthony is speaking out to clear up his political beliefs amid the the success of his song, which has been adopted as an anthem for conservatives in America.

The Republican presidential candidate debate this week opened with moderator Martha MacCallum asking Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis why he believes the song is striking a chord with Americans.

“Our country is in decline. This decline is not inevitable, it’s a choice. We need to send Joe Biden back to his basement and reverse American decline. And it starts with understanding we must reverse Bidenomics so that middle-class families have a chance to succeed again.”

DeSantis added that America “cannot succeed when the Congress spends trillions and trillions of dollars. Those rich men north of Richmond have put us in this situation.”

Well, Oliver doesn’t necessarily agree with DeSantis.

Keep reading to find out more…

In a new video posted to his YouTube channel, Oliver said, “It’s aggravating seeing people on conservative news try to identify with me, like I’m one of them. It’s aggravating seeing certain musicians and politicians act like we’re buddies and act like we’re fighting the same struggle, like we’re trying to present the same message.”

“It was funny seeing my song at the presidential debate, because I wrote that song about those people, you know. So for them to have to sit there and listen to that, that cracks me up,” Oliver added. “It was funny seeing the response to it. That song has nothing to do with Joe Biden — it’s a lot bigger than Joe Biden. That song is written about the people on that stage — and a lot more, too. Not just them, but definitely them.”

Oliver also talked about his political beliefs and how the song is not about politics.

“It’s hard to get a message out about your political ideology or your belief about the world in three minutes and change. I hate to see that song being weaponized. I see the right trying to characterize me as one of their own, and I see the left trying to discredit me, I guess in retaliation. That shit’s got to stop,” he said.

Oliver added, “I don’t know that I’ve seen anything get such a positive response from such a diverse group of people, and I think that terrifies the people that I sing about in that song. They’ve done everything they can in the last two weeks to make me look like a fool, to spin my words, to try to stick me in a political bucket. And they can keep trying, but I’m just gonna keep on writing.”

Watch the video below!

Earlier this week, Oliver revealed his real name and told fans about his life history.