Beyoncé Knowles-Carterwrapped up her"Cowboy Carter" tourthis summer, and despite the history-making feat, her name has been pulled into recent online political and culturalcontroversies. It can feel like there's hardly a news cycle whenBeyoncéisn't dragged into the discourse. And as she typically does, Beyoncé has responded with silence — though perhaps not stillness. In July, country musicianGavin Adcock took aim at the singerwhen her"Cowboy Carter" albumranked higher than his on Apple Music's country albums chart. His comments sparked an outpouring of support for her on social media, with many noting country music's diverse roots and its history of exclusion. Later that month, PresidentDonald Trumpcriticized the singer, claiming she waspaid $11 million to endorse Kamala Harris' presidential bid— a payment thethe Federal Election Commission has no record of. Then, Beyoncé wasthrown into the Sydney Sweeney and American Eagle controversy. While some users quickly came to Beyoncé's defense, comparisons to Beyoncé's Levi's jean ads still made the rounds online. So Beyoncé can pose in Levi jeans and it's art…But when a white woman does it, it's a national crisis?pic.twitter.com/aWu3h6nrL8 — Desiree (@DesireeAmerica4)July 29, 2025 The debate continued when British media personality Piers Morgan entered the chat and accused Beyoncé of cultural appropriation when she rocked voluminous blond hair in a photoshoot. "Very disappointed to see Beyoncé culturally appropriate Marilyn Monroe in her new Levi's ad,"he wroteon X. Later, Morgan walked back his comment,writingit was merely a joke. Each time, Beyoncé has not said anything. Instead, the"Cowboy Carter"creator has forged awaypromoting her venture with Levi's, adding new products to her hair care line Cécred and possibly dropping hints about upcoming music. The album itself was born from Beyoncé's ties to country music. As a Texas native, she has always celebrated Southern culture. She andthose close to herhave spoken about how she was inspired by different music genres at a young age, including country. She also explored the genre before with her 2016 song "Daddy Lessons" and even celebrated elements of it as far back as herDestiny's Childdays. But the "Cowboy Carter" album was also adirect response to doubters and gatekeepers. Prior to releasing the album, Beyoncéalluded on social mediato her 2016 performance at theCMA Awardsand said it inspired her to create the project, which she worked on for five years. "It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed…and it was very clear that I wasn't," she wroteon Instagram. "But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of Country music and studied our rich musical archive." On her first country album, Beyoncé featured Black country artists — both legends and emerging stars alike. The recordmade historyandbroke multiple records. 83341416007 Another instance came at the 2024 Country Music Association awards. Despite releasing her album andbecoming the leading nominee at the People's Choice Country Awards, Beyoncéreceived not a single nomination at the CMAs— one of the most prestigious country music award shows. Though many others voiced their opinions, Beyoncé kept quiet. Her response came a few months later when she became the first Black woman to winbest country album at the 2025 Grammy Awards. The same ceremony started with herwinning the awardfor best country duo/group performance for "II Most Wanted" with Miley Cyrus. It was the first time a Black woman won a Grammy for a country music song since the Pointer Sisters in 1975. Not only were country wins at stake, "Cowboy Carter" was up for album of the year —the top prize of the eveningand an honor Beyoncé hadn't yet received despite being the most decorated artist in Grammy history. She took homethat awardas well. 78168331007 In February, BeyoncéannouncedherCowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin' Circuit Tour. Before shedebuted the 32-night stadium tourat SoFi Stadium inLos Angeles on April 28, some critics questioned whetherticket salesand fan enthusiasm for this tour would match her past success. Her Renaissance World Tour reportedlygrossedover $579 million across 56 shows. The "Cowboy Carter" concert proved to be arevolutionary spectaclefilled with fashion, different music genres andcultural commentaryas she challenged industry norms. Turns out, itbecame the highest grossing country tour of all time, earning the title by pulling in over $400 million in just three months and 32 stops. Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network's Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, onInstagram,TikTokandXas @cachemcclay. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean:How Beyoncé turns criticism — over jeans, music, Trump — into comebacks