Brandi Carlile Urges Trump Voters to 'Change Their Minds'

The singer says Trump supporters 'got f--king scammed' and should 'get mad enough to change your mind'.

Feb. 23, 2026 at 5:04pm

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In a recent interview, country star Brandi Carlile expressed empathy for people who voted for former President Donald Trump, saying they "got f--king scammed" and should "change their minds" about supporting him. Carlile compared the situation to being manipulated into buying an expensive vacuum cleaner, urging Trump voters to "get mad enough to change your mind" rather than feeling "duped and feeling ashamed and embarrassed."

Why it matters

Carlile's comments reflect the ongoing political divisions in the U.S. and the challenges of persuading Trump supporters to reconsider their views, especially as the former president continues to make false claims about the 2024 election. Her call for Trump voters to "change their minds" highlights the desire among some to reach across the aisle and find common ground.

The details

In the interview, Carlile said that while she is "angry" with Trump voters, she believes most "didn't sign up" for the "violent theater and dominance over other people" that has characterized Trump's second term. She urged them to "get past the embarrassment, get past the shame" of being "duped by a con artist" and instead "get mad enough to change your mind." Carlile's comments came during a benefit concert in Minneapolis for a nonprofit supporting families affected by ICE's immigration enforcement actions, which she has long opposed.

  • Carlile made these comments in an interview with Rolling Stone on February 21, 2026, shortly after performing a concert in Minneapolis.

The players

Brandi Carlile

An 11-time Grammy-winning country music singer who has been outspoken in her opposition to the Trump administration's immigration policies.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States, whose second term has been marked by continued controversy over his administration's actions on immigration enforcement.

The Advocates for Human Rights

A Minneapolis-based nonprofit organization that has been working to support families affected by ICE's arrests, detainments and deportations in the city.

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What they’re saying

“It's very clear that this administration is not interested in legal immigration. They're interested in violent theater, violent theater and dominance over other people. I don't believe most people signed up for that. Even people who voted for Trump, who I'm angry with, I don't think they voted for this, and I do think that they can still change their minds.”

— Brandi Carlile, Country Music Singer (Rolling Stone)

“So, you got f--king scammed. We're living in a scammy time. That's what people do. You can't even pick up your phone without getting scammed. Doesn't mean you have to double down. It doesn't mean you have to pay for the f--king vacuum cleaner. And I just think there are a whole lot of people out there right now feeling duped and feeling ashamed and embarrassed.”

— Brandi Carlile, Country Music Singer (Rolling Stone)

“What they need to feel is angry. They need to get mad and change their minds. Get past the embarrassment, get past the shame that we got duped by a con artist. Get mad enough to change your mind.”

— Brandi Carlile, Country Music Singer (Rolling Stone)

The takeaway

Brandi Carlile's comments reflect the ongoing political divisions in the U.S. and the challenges of persuading Trump supporters to reconsider their views. Her call for Trump voters to 'change their minds' highlights the desire among some to reach across the aisle and find common ground, even as the former president continues to make false claims about the 2024 election.