ARLINGTON, Va. — Country music legend Trace Adkins, a past winner of the “All Star Celebrity Apprentice” that was hosted by GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, told PJM he is “trying so hard to be apathetic” about the presidential race.
Adkins, who formally endorsed Mitt Romney for president in 2012, was asked if he is going to endorse Trump for president. Adkins was the runner-up in Season 7 of Trump’s NBC show “Celebrity Apprentice” and won “All Star Celebrity Apprentice” in 2013.
“I am actually trying so hard to be apathetic, you have no idea how apathetic I’m trying to be about all of this. It’s driving me crazy,” he said during an interview following an event on Whipple Field at the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Va.
The U.S. Army Military District of Washington held a special Twilight Tattoo “Salute from the Chief” ceremony to honor Adkins and other Americans for their dedication to the military, including Spencer Kympton, president of The Mission Continues; John Bunch, founder of Operation Open Arms; and Briana Nelson Goff, director of the Kansas State University Institute for the Health and Security of Military Families.
Adkins described being honored by the military as both “embarrassing” and “humbling.”
“When they recognized me for the things I’ve done, it’s just so humbling. It’s embarrassing for me. It’s hard to accept these kinds of accolades because, you know, compared to what they do, they do all the heavy lifting,” he said. “I’m just along for the ride but I’m honored to be here tonight and it’s just been a real thrill to watch this whole thing and [Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark] Milley and it’s just been a great evening.”
During the interview, Adkins revealed the most memorable moment he has experienced with the military so far.
“Well, getting cat shot off the back of an aircraft carrier is pretty unforgettable, so I did that off the USS Abraham Lincoln many years ago and, I mean, I’ll never forget that,” he said. “But there are all kinds of moments that I remember from being in theatre in Afghanistan and Iraq and just some really intense meetings and conversations with some enlisted men that I’ll just never forget — those moments, you know? The shows are one thing, but the personal thing is something else.”
The Grammy Award-nominated artist told PJM he has enjoyed collaborating with Toby Keith, Darryl Worley, Craig Morgan and Gary Sinise on events for U.S. troops.
He was asked how the award from the military compares to his music-related awards.
“To be recognized for things I’ve done musically, those kinds of awards, that’s nice to get a pat on the back, but this is like just overwhelming to have the chief of staff of the Army thanking you for doing something — it’s just overwhelming, it really is,” Adkins said.
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