NBC's Christmas in Rockefeller Center tree-lighting special.

Trace's in-ear monitor included the Confederate flag.

Many associate the "stars and bars," as the flag of the Confederacy is often known, with slavery and oppression.

In his defense, Trace released a statement on his website saying that was not his intent. He wrote:

"As a proud American, I object to oppression of any kind. To me, the battle flag represents remembrance of my Southern lineage—I am a descendant of Confederate soldiers who followed that flag into battle.

"I advocate for the preservation of America's battlefields and honest conversation about our Country's history. To those who view the flag as a symbol of racism, that was not my message and I did not intend offense.”
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