Tate McRae is pushing back without getting pulled into a political debate after her professional and personal relationships led some online critics to label her a MAGA supporter. The speculation intensified after McRae collaborated with Morgan Wallen on the chart-topping song “What I Want” and was later romantically linked to NHL star Jack Hughes. Neither Wallen nor Hughes has publicly established McRae’s political beliefs. Still, she told fans that they should be able to understand her values by looking at the organizations and causes she chooses to support.
When Variety asked why she avoids entering political conversations publicly, McRae explained that she prefers to communicate her beliefs through actions rather than online debates. “I like to say my piece through organizations I support and the environment that I have on tour,” she said.
McRae offered her “Little Miss Possessive” merchandise as one example. In 2025, she promoted a hoodie through TikTok and directed a portion of the proceeds toward The Trevor Project and Global Fund for Women.
The Trevor Project focuses on suicide prevention and crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ young people, while Global Fund for Women supports gender justice initiatives. “I think it’s pretty obvious what kind of person I am and the things I support,” McRae continued. “And I hope that my fans can see that through the things that I’m putting my energy towards.”
Morgan Wallen Collaboration Sparked MAGA Speculation
5McRae’s politics first became a larger subject of online conversation after she joined Wallen for “What I Want.” The collaboration debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking a major commercial success for both performers. However, Wallen’s reputation and fan base prompted some internet users to associate McRae with conservative politics and the MAGA movement simply because she worked with him.
Wallen has never publicly endorsed Trump or formally aligned himself with MAGA. Nevertheless, some critics and media commentators have described his image as “MAGA-coded,” citing his rebellious public persona and popularity with conservative country music listeners.
Those perceptions do not establish Wallen’s beliefs, nor do they prove anything about McRae’s political views.
Morgan Wallen Has Faced Several Public Controversies
5Wallen’s history of controversies has contributed to the intense scrutiny surrounding those who work with him. In February 2021, his record label suspended his contract after a video surfaced showing him using a racial slur. Radio stations and streaming platforms also temporarily distanced themselves from his music.
Wallen returned to the spotlight and continued achieving substantial commercial success despite the backlash. Three years later, the country singer made headlines again after throwing a chair from the rooftop of a Nashville bar.
Those incidents have shaped the public conversation surrounding Wallen, but neither controversy directly involved McRae. Her decision to record “What I Want” with him was nevertheless enough for some social media users to draw conclusions about her politics by association.
Jack Hughes’ Reaction To Trump Joke Fueled More Questions
5McRae faced another round of political speculation after she was linked to Hughes. The NHL star helped Team USA win the men’s hockey gold medal in February, while the country’s women’s team also secured gold.
Following the men’s championship victory, Trump called the team to congratulate its members. During the conversation, the president made a joke at the expense of the women’s team. Hughes and other members of the men’s team reportedly laughed, generating criticism online. Because Hughes had been romantically linked to McRae, some of that backlash extended to her.
The hockey player subsequently addressed the moment and emphasized that he has “so much respect for the women’s team.”
Singer Refuses To Let ‘Outside Noise’ Control Her
5McRae’s growing fame has made everything from her collaborators to her rumored boyfriend part of a larger conversation about who she is away from the stage. However, the singer appears determined not to spend her energy answering every conclusion strangers draw about her.
“And the outside noise, I can’t do anything about that,” she told Variety. “Focusing my energy on something that I can’t control, it just puts me in a bad mood.”
Rather than issuing a political declaration, McRae is asking people to examine where she directs her platform and resources.