The 5 Most Shocking Moments In Billy Ray Cyrus's Political Timeline: From 'Achy Breaky Heart' To Trump's 2024 Support

The political landscape is a complicated stage for any celebrity, but for country music legend Billy Ray Cyrus, his connections to Donald Trump have created a firestorm of controversy that continues to make headlines as of December 18, 2025. The singer, famous for his iconic mullet and the global hit "Achy Breaky Heart," has repeatedly found himself at the center of a cultural and political divide, especially concerning his relationship with the former President and the stark contrast with the progressive views of his daughter, Miley Cyrus.

This deep dive explores the full timeline of Billy Ray Cyrus's political journey, from his highly scrutinized performance at the 2017 Inaugural Ball to his more recent, and often quieter, expressions of support for the Republican ticket in the lead-up to the 2024 election. It’s a story of family friction, professional risk, and the enduring power of political alignment in the entertainment industry.

Billy Ray Cyrus: Complete Biography and Career Profile

William Ray Cyrus, known professionally as Billy Ray Cyrus, is an American singer, songwriter, and actor whose career spans over three decades, marked by both massive commercial success and significant cultural shifts.

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• Full Name: William Ray Cyrus
• Born: August 25, 1961
• Birthplace: Flatwoods, Kentucky, U.S.
• Genre: Country, Country Pop, Southern Rock
• Debut Album: Some Gave All (1992)
• Breakout Hit: "Achy Breaky Heart" (1992), which became a worldwide smash and popularized line dancing.
• Acting Career Highlights: Starred as the title character in the television series Doc (2001–2004) and as Robby Ray Stewart, the father of Miley Stewart, in the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana (2006–2011), alongside his daughter, Miley Cyrus.
• Key Collaborations: Most notably, his 2019 collaboration with Lil Nas X on the remix of "Old Town Road," which broke numerous streaming and chart records.
• Family Life: Was married to Tish Cyrus (divorced in 2022). He is the father of five children, including global pop star Miley Cyrus, musician Trace Cyrus, and actress Noah Cyrus. He married musician Firerose in 2023.
• Awards: Multiple awards, including a Grammy for "Old Town Road."

The Political Divide: Billy Ray Cyrus and the Trump Connection

Billy Ray Cyrus's political leanings have often been a subject of public scrutiny, primarily because they stand in sharp contrast to the outspoken liberal activism of his daughter, Miley Cyrus. The country star's most direct and visible link to Donald Trump has centered around two key areas: the 2017 Presidential Inauguration and the subsequent 2024 election cycle.

1. The Controversial 2017 Liberty Ball Performance

The first major public connection between Billy Ray Cyrus and Donald Trump occurred in January 2017 when the singer agreed to perform at the Liberty Ball, one of the official inaugural balls celebrating Trump's presidency.

The decision to perform immediately sparked significant backlash, primarily from fans who were aware of Miley Cyrus's staunch anti-Trump stance and her history of campaigning for Hillary Clinton.

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The 'Achy Breaky' Technical Difficulties

The performance itself became a viral moment for all the wrong reasons. During his set, which included a rendition of "Achy Breaky Heart," Cyrus appeared visibly confused and struggled, leading many on social media to describe the performance as "bizarre" and "awkward."

Cyrus later addressed the controversy, attributing the shaky performance to "technical difficulties" with the sound equipment. He defended his decision to perform, stating he wouldn't have missed the event, and even cracked a joke, saying, "In life, when you have technical difficulties, you just gotta keep going, or as President Trump would say, 'You just had to be there.'"

2. The Public Backlash and Family Friction

The fallout from the inauguration performance was immediate. It highlighted a clear political schism within the famous Cyrus family. While Billy Ray stood by his decision, the move was viewed by some as a desperate attempt to stay relevant or a genuine political statement that put him at odds with his famous children.

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The incident became a major talking point in the media, contrasting the "Achy Breaky Heart" singer's conservative-leaning associations with Miley's progressive activism. This dynamic added a layer of personal drama to the national political conversation, with many fans feeling forced to choose sides in the Cyrus family's political divide.

3. The Rumored 2024 Election Endorsement and Future Ties

As the 2024 U.S. presidential election cycle heated up, Billy Ray Cyrus's name re-emerged in discussions about celebrity endorsements for Donald Trump. Reports indicated that the veteran country star had expressed his support for the Republican candidate's 2024 run.

While direct, verifiable quotes from Cyrus specifically endorsing Trump for the 2024 election are scarce, the news of his support circulated widely, linking him to a growing list of conservative-leaning celebrities. This perceived political alignment further solidified his image as a figure on the right side of the political spectrum, regardless of the controversy it invites.

4. Trace Cyrus's Confirmation of Trump Support

The political alignment of the Cyrus men was further cemented by Billy Ray's son, Trace Cyrus, a musician known for his work with the band Metro Station. Trace Cyrus has been more overt in his support for Donald Trump, even posting images of himself wearing Trump-branded merchandise.

This public display of support from both Billy Ray and Trace Cyrus for the Republican ticket in 2024 suggests a shared political viewpoint, which contrasts sharply with Miley and Noah’s known Democratic allegiances. This family dynamic provides a fascinating insight into how political polarization can play out even within one of America's most famous entertainment dynasties.

5. The Enduring Curiosity: Will Billy Ray Perform in 2025?

The enduring legacy of the 2017 performance is the question of whether Billy Ray Cyrus would ever perform at a future Donald Trump inauguration. Given the reports of his 2024 support, the speculation about a potential performance at a 2025 inaugural event became a hot topic in political and entertainment circles.

The mere possibility of a repeat performance—especially after the backlash and technical difficulties of the 2017 Liberty Ball—fuels public curiosity and debate. For many, his willingness to step onto that stage, despite the potential professional and family consequences, is the ultimate sign of his unwavering political conviction and his willingness to risk his reputation for his beliefs.

Topical Authority: The Intersection of Country Music, Hollywood, and Politics

Billy Ray Cyrus's journey is a powerful case study in the intersection of country music, Hollywood fame, and American politics. Country music, as a genre, traditionally holds a strong conservative base, making Cyrus's support for a Republican candidate less surprising than that of a pop or rock star.

However, his dual identity—as a country star and as a key figure in the Disney-fueled, liberal-leaning Hollywood ecosystem (via Hannah Montana and his daughter Miley)—makes his political decisions uniquely scrutinized. His choice to align with Donald Trump, a figure who generates intense polarization, forced him to navigate a treacherous path that few other celebrities have faced with such direct family opposition.

The ongoing narrative surrounding Billy Ray Cyrus and Donald Trump is not just about a celebrity and a politician; it's a microcosm of the current American cultural war, played out on the global stage by one of the most recognizable and musically influential families in the world.