Truth has always worked for me, so to see the truth defiled every day is very, very painful for me. I only can do what I can do. I probably will turn a lot of people off. When I’m creating an album there has to be musicality — there has to be beauty in the music.

I don’t know what people are going to think when they hear what’s on my mind. It may bring up things that are on their mind. “Don’t Lie to Me,” if you don’t look at the video, can be a more general idea. But the music is upbeat, the music is interesting, it’s nice for me, kind of a contemporary track. And it expressed my anger, it expressed my frustration.

I can only be true to me as an artist and if people like it that’s great, and if they don’t, they don’t have to buy it or listen to it. But me in real life is more important than me as the artist. As a citizen, that’s the role.

What about offending Trump fans who like your music?

It doesn’t matter. I remember being onstage in Washington, D.C., and asking, “I’m just curious, how many Republicans are in the audience?” because everyone knows I’m a staunch Democrat, and a lot of people raised their hands. Art or music transcends politics, I think. I hope it does. I actually said that to George Bush.

Can you think of anything good Trump has done?

[Very long pause] I mean, this is a man who’s kind of, not kind of — he’s mean. I worry about the children. I worry about what is the image he’s projecting to them.

How do you feel about how the music industry has dealt with #MeToo?

The music industry, I didn’t have a lot of problems there. I mean, it depends on how many records you sell, you know what I’m saying, whether you’re male or female. It matters more in directing. The idea of being in control doesn’t go over well.