The music industry is a weird place right now. You’ve got mega-stars backed by billions of dollars, and then you’ve got Tom MacDonald. He’s the guy everyone loves to argue about, but nobody can seem to ignore. When he dropped In God We Trust, featuring Adam Calhoun, Struggle Jennings, and Nova Rockafeller, it wasn't just another song. It was a moment. Honestly, it felt like a line in the sand for a lot of people.
If you haven't seen the video, it’s basically a gritty, high-production statement of intent. It’s part of the massive collaborative project The Brave, which famously moved over 48,000 physical units in just its first few days back in 2022. That’s insane for an independent artist. No major label. No corporate radio support. Just a guy and his girlfriend, Nova, packing boxes in their living room.
What In God We Trust Is Actually Saying
People love to put Tom in a box. They call him a "political rapper" or a "troll." But if you actually listen to the lyrics of In God We Trust, it’s less about a specific political candidate and more about a deep-seated burnout with the modern world.
The hook says it all: "We don't trust the news, the government, or pharma / We just want the life that was promised by our fathers." It’s an anthem for the disillusioned. It taps into this feeling that the institutions we used to rely on—media, big business, politicians—have all kinda gone off the rails. Tom and his crew aren't just rapping; they’re venting. They’re talking about "small town boys with big American dreams" who feel like the world has gone crazy.
The Power of the Independent Hustle
One thing people get wrong about Tom MacDonald is thinking his success is some kind of fluke or purely based on "triggering" people. It’s not. It’s logistics.
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During the release of The Brave, Tom and Adam Calhoun were hitting #1 on the iTunes Overall Top Albums Chart, literally leapfrogging the Encanto soundtrack and major releases from artists like King Von.
How? Because they’ve built a community. They don't need a middleman. When you buy a CD from his website, you’re buying into the "Hang Over Gang" (HOG) movement. It’s a direct-to-consumer model that would make most Silicon Valley startups jealous.
The Sound of the Song
Musically, "In God We Trust" is a blend. You’ve got:
- Struggle Jennings bringing that outlaw country-rap grit.
- Adam Calhoun with the aggressive, punchy delivery.
- Nova Rockafeller adding those melodic, haunting layers in the background.
- Tom MacDonald tying it together with his signature rapid-fire social commentary.
It sounds big. It sounds like it should be playing in a stadium, or at least a very loud truck. The production is polished—Nova usually handles the visuals and creative direction—and it shows. They aren’t making "basement rap." They are making high-budget content that looks and sounds better than most of what's on the radio.
Why Critics Hate It (And Fans Love It)
The divide over this track is basically a microcosm of the whole country. If you go on Reddit or read a review on Medium, you’ll see critics calling it "boring" or "juvenile." They say it’s just a collection of buzzwords meant to piss off "liberals."
But then you look at the numbers. Millions of views. Tens of thousands of physical sales.
Fans aren't listening because they want a complex lyrical breakdown of geopolitical policy. They listen because they feel heard. When Tom raps about being a "threat" because he's "honest," it resonates with people who feel like they have to walk on eggshells in their daily lives. It’s cathartic.
Breaking Down the Chart Success
Let’s look at the actual impact. In early 2026, we’re still talking about this because Tom has consistently proven he can "block" the big guys.
- Direct Sales: He moves physical units, which Billboard has historically had a love-hate relationship with.
- Digital Dominance: He routinely hits #1 on iTunes, often holding multiple spots in the top ten.
- Engagement: His YouTube comments aren't just "good song." They are paragraphs of people sharing their life stories.
The Reality of the "Struggle Rapper" Label
Some critics use the term "struggle rapper" to describe guys like Tom or Dax. They say these artists master one thing—usually fast rapping or "offensive" lyrics—and ignore the rest of hip-hop culture.
But is that fair? Hip-hop has always been about rebellion. It’s always been about the "outsider" screaming at the system. Tom has just changed who the "system" is. In his world, the system is the mainstream media and "woke" culture. It’s a flip of the traditional script, and that’s exactly why it’s so polarizing.
What You Can Learn From the HOG Movement
Whether you like the music or not, there is a blueprint here for anyone trying to build something on their own.
- Own your audience. Don't rely on an algorithm to show your work to people. Collect emails, sell physical goods, and talk directly to your fans.
- Be consistent. Tom drops content like clockwork. He doesn't wait for permission.
- Don't be afraid to be the villain. In a world of PR-scrubbed celebrities, someone who says exactly what they think—even if it's controversial—is going to stand out.
- Visuals matter. A "political" song is just a song. A "political" music video with high-end cinematography is an event.
Next Steps for the Curious
If you’re trying to wrap your head around why this matters, don't just read the headlines. Watch the video for "In God We Trust" and then watch a "reaction" video from someone who disagrees with him. You’ll see the gap between how the media portrays him and how his audience actually perceives him.
If you're an artist or creator, look at his "The Biggest Screw Job In Music History" video. It’s a masterclass in turning a negative (Billboard not counting certain sales) into a massive marketing win. He didn't just complain; he made his fans feel like they were part of a revolution.
The lesson here is simple: you don't need everyone to like you. You just need a "small town" worth of people who love you enough to buy a CD.