An In-Depth Look at the Political Beliefs of Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard**
Florida Georgia Line (FGL), the country music duo that dominated the genre throughout the 2010s with hits like Cruise, This Is How We Roll, and H.O.L.Y., consists of two artists from very different backgrounds: Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley. While they share a deep friendship forged over more than a decade performing together, their personal beliefs, including politics, diverge in meaningful ways that have occasionally surfaced in public. Fox News+1
This article delves into which member is conservative, how their political views have been expressed, and how these views have played a role in their relationship and public persona.
Florida Georgia Line: A Quick Introduction
Before discussing politics, it’s helpful to understand who these men are on a basic level:
- Florida Georgia Line formed in 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The duo consisted of Tyler Hubbard (from Georgia) and Brian Kelley (from Florida).
- They became one of the biggest country acts of the decade, blending traditional country with pop and hip-hop influences—a style often dubbed bro country.
- After years of success, the duo announced a hiatus in 2022 to pursue solo careers. People.com
Their friendship and creative partnership defined much of their careers, but a subplot that came into public view was their differences in political outlooks. Fox News
Who Is Conservative? Brian Kelley or Tyler Hubbard?
Brian Kelley: The Member Closest to Conservative Politics
Evidence from interviews and media coverage suggests that Brian Kelley tends to align more with conservative political views. Various entertainment outlets and commentary pieces have described him as leaning conservative, especially compared to his former musical partner.
While Kelley has not focused heavily on politics as a musician, there are several indicators that his viewpoints lean more toward traditional conservative values:
- Public Descriptions of His Politics
Media discussions about the duo’s differing political beliefs note that Kelley and his wife have social media reactions and stances that lean more conservative than Hubbard’s. Fox News - Comments From Secondary Sources
Commentators covering country music culture and political identity often describe Kelley as conservative, especially in contrast to Hubbard’s more liberal tendencies, though specific direct statements from Kelley on detailed policy positions are less widely reported. Whiskey Riff
In short: Kelley is generally recognized as the more conservative half of Florida Georgia Line, especially in contrast to his partner. The conservative alignment is less about constant political pronouncements and more about comparisons with Hubbard’s public expressions and actions. Fox News
Tyler Hubbard: More Liberally Inclined Views
Conversely, Tyler Hubbard has been noted as more liberal or at least less traditionally conservative in his public political profile:
- Political Expression During the 2020 Election
Hubbard and his wife publicly supported Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the 2020 presidential race—something that became news after Hubbard unfollowed Brian Kelley on Instagram briefly due to political content on Kelley’s feed. Hubbard said the unfollow was not personal, but that he didn’t want to see certain posts while scrolling. dailycaller.com+1 - Direct and Indirect Statements
Hubbard himself has been described in some sources as supportive of Democratic candidates, though he has never publicly registered as a Democrat. His criticism of former President Donald Trump in past interviews and public remarks further distinguishes his political approach from Kelley’s. Distractify
While Hubbard’s politics do not define his career, they have been visible enough to fuel discussions among fans and media about the duo’s dynamic.
How Their Political Differences Surfaced Publicly
The 2020 Election and Social Media
One of the most publicized moments involving their differing personal views occurred during the 2020 U.S. presidential election:
- Hubbard unfollowed Kelley and his wife on Instagram during the election period due to their political posts, which Hubbard said he simply didn’t want to see. He clarified that they were still on good terms personally.
- Kelley’s political posts at that time were interpreted by some outlets and fans as aligning more closely with conservative viewpoints or critical of Democratic celebrations. Distractify
Though neither musician has made political activism a major focus of his public image, this moment captured fan and media attention as a rare glimpse into how their personal beliefs differ. Fox News
Public Comments From Both Artists
Both Downplay Political Tension
Despite differences:
- Both Kelley and Hubbard have publicly said that their political views did not drive a wedge between them as business partners. They’ve emphasized they respect each other and see their core values as aligned, even if they differ on specific issues. People.com
- On SiriusXM’s Exit 209 with Storme Warren, Hubbard explained that their differences were not a “big deal,” stressing that politics tends to divide people but that they were still a team. Entertainment Tonight
This downplaying suggests that while political orientation exists on different ends of the spectrum, it wasn’t necessarily something the duo wanted to emphasize in their professional relationship. Entertainment Tonight
How Political Identity Influences Their Solo Careers
Since stepping away from FGL as a duo:
- Brian Kelley has developed a solo identity that embraces his roots and personal beliefs, which is consistent with a more conservative, grounded country music persona. He has also appeared in interviews where politics and personal belief systems are part of a broader conversation about authenticity and identity, though he does not make overt political speeches in his music. Whiskey Riff
- Tyler Hubbard continues to emphasize unity and connection in his solo music and public commentary. His political expressions remain more loosely tied to social values and specific elections rather than party politics. Distractify
This divergence in public image aligns with how each artist personally approaches politics and communication. Fox News
Politics in Country Music: Context and FGL’s Place
Country music as a genre has deep roots in conservative cultural spaces, often reflecting themes of patriotism, rural living, traditional values, and individualism. Artists within the genre vary widely in how they engage politically:
- Some embrace conservative ideals openly, becoming vocal supporters of political figures or causes.
- Others keep their politics personal and focus primarily on their music careers without overt political statements.
- A few navigate this space carefully, balancing their public image to appeal to a broad audience.
Florida Georgia Line fits a middle ground: their individual political identities are part of their personal narrative but not the centerpiece of their artistry. Fox News
Summary: Who Is Conservative?
Brian Kelley
- Generally described by secondary sources as more conservative in contrast to Hubbard. Fox News
- Portrayed as upholding traditional values in personal expression.
- His public persona aligns with conservative-leaning elements of country music culture.
Tyler Hubbard
- Seen as comparatively more liberal or moderate, with public expressions that suggest support for Democratic figures during key elections. Distractify
- Has emphasized unity over partisanship and has spoken about his differing views with Kelley without conflict.
Conclusion: While both artists respect one another and have downplayed political conflict, Brian Kelley is most frequently associated with conservative political identity compared to Tyler Hubbard.