In response to the controversy, Billboard initially removed the music video from its "Top Christian Songs" chart, citing its policy of excluding songs with "explicit content or lyrics" from the chart. However, after Lil Nas X criticized Billboard's decision, the music video was reinstated on the chart. Billboard later issued a statement clarifying that the video was removed due to its "explicit nature," not its religious content, and that the decision was made in accordance with its existing policies.
The controversy sparked debates about freedom of expression and the place of religion in popular culture. Some defended Lil Nas X's artistic freedom to express himself, while others criticized the video for its alleged blasphemy and harmful impact on religious viewers. The incident highlighted the tension between religious sensitivities and the right to creative expression in the entertainment industry.