Paul McCartney: "Hey Jude" Unites Fans Across Political Divide in US
Paul McCartney observes how his performances of "Hey Jude" temporarily bridge the political divide between Republicans and Democrats at his live shows in the United States.
Sir Paul McCartney spoke about music’s ability to unite despite political division during a recent appearance on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, using live performances of “Hey Jude” as an example of how concerts and singing together can dissolve cultural tension.
During the interview with Richard Osman and Marina Hyde, the former Beatle mused on his perspective of fame, ambition, and his relationship to his own discography through a personal lens over time. Toward the tail end of the conversation, McCartney reflected on performing “Hey Jude” for modern audiences and noted how the communal nature of the track, along with its familiarity, can override the partisan hostility that dominates much of American life.
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“In Trump’s America… the Republicans and Democrats [are] all at each other’s throats – when we do that song, they’re not,” McCartney said. “They’re all loving it, and it’s like, wow, this is pretty amazing.”
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He continued by emphasizing the sense of connection created during those performances. “Suddenly, this room has forgotten all of that,” he added. “They’re not going to argue with each other, they’re just going to sing together.”
The comments follow a string of intimate shows McCartney played in Los Angeles earlier this year, which featured a career-spanning setlist packed with classics by The Beatles and solo material, including “Get Back,” “Blackbird,” “Let It Be,” and of course, “Hey Jude.”
McCartney is doing press rounds ahead of the release of The Boys of Dungeon Lane , set to drop on May 29th, 2026. The project marks McCartney’s 18th solo album, featuring 14 tracks produced with Andrew Watt, including his first-ever duet with Ringo Starr titled “Home to Us.”
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His remarks arrive amid a growing wave of veteran musicians publicly criticizing the divisive atmosphere surrounding the current administration. Recently, Rod Stewart took aim at President Trump while discussing politics abroad. Bruce Springsteen has also repeatedly used his ongoing tour to speak out against the administration, prompting Trump to publicly encourage supporters to boycott The Boss.
Watch the full interview below. The conversation about “Hey Jude” begins around the 27-minute mark.
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_Originally reported by [Consequence](https://consequence.net/2026/05/paul-mccartney-hey-jude-trump-america/)._
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