Amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken found himself at the center of a social media storm after a video surfaced of him playing guitar at a bar in Kyiv. The footage, which quickly went viral, showed Blinken performing Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” alongside a local band called 19.99. Despite the festive atmosphere, Blinken took a moment to address the audience, acknowledging the dire circumstances faced by Ukraine, particularly in places like Kharkiv, which was suffering immensely.
While Blinken’s performance was met with cheers from the audience in the bar, it sparked criticism and backlash from conservatives back home. Some viewed his actions as inappropriate, questioning the optics of partying in Kyiv while the conflict in Ukraine continued to escalate, and the Israel-Gaza conflict raged on. Voices from the conservative camp, including Greg Price from the State Freedom Caucus Network and video journalist Nick Sortor, expressed disdain over Blinken’s performance, highlighting the ongoing crises and questioning the appropriateness of Blinken’s actions.
The choice of Neil Young’s song, known for its critical stance on various aspects of American society, added another layer of irony to the situation. The New York Times pointed out the song’s lyrics, which critique issues like drug addiction and political promises, were hardly in line with traditional patriotic anthems. Despite this, the State Department saw the video as an opportunity to reinforce the Biden administration’s support for Ukraine during its conflict with Russia. Diplomats believed that despite the timing of the performance, it would help underscore the administration’s commitment to Ukraine’s struggle against the Kremlin.