Brian Kelley, a former member of the Country Music duo Florida Georgia Line, has hinted that politics and an American flag may have played a role in the group’s split.

Florida Georgia Line was known for blending traditional country sound with mainstream pop elements, something that made them popular among younger fans. They enjoyed widespread success in the 2010’s with chart toppers such as “Cruise” and “This Is How We Roll,” which led to tours with the likes of Jason Aldean.

The group split in 2020, however, and it has long been believed that politics played a major role. During the contentious election season, band co-member Tyler Hubbard unfollowed Kelley over political disagreements. Hubbard is a supporter of Joe Biden and performed at his inauguration, while Kelley appears to prefer former President Donald Trump.

“I unfollowed BK for a few days while we were in the middle of this election and everything going on. And, and I even called him and told him, I said, ‘Hey buddy, I love you. And I love you a lot more in real life than on your stories right now. That’s why I’m unfollowing you. Nothing personal. I still love you. You’re still my brother,'” Hubbard explained in 2020.

It now appears that an American flag may have angered Hubbard and led to friction between the duo. Kelley explained the bizarre story during a recent appearance on the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast.

“I think one of the things that triggered him was, you know, I had an American flag and another flag flying on a close friend’s post to about 12 people. In my driveway,” Kelley said.

The country star then slammed the COVID-19 lockdown efforts that were underway at the time. “I posted a couple things but I’m proud that I posted it. I said, ‘You know I’m not sure why we’re still locked down if there’s going to be, you know, big protests in the streets and big celebrations, but we can’t go do concerts?’ I don’t really understand that and I was backing the blue-collar hard workers,” Kelley explained.

“The people that don’t have a voice. People that need that kind of backup support. People like my dad. The way that I grew up. You know what I’m saying. People that were out of business. Out of work. In a tough spot losing everything that they’d work for.”